UC-NRLF 


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Harper's  Stereotype  Edition. 


MEMOIRS 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE. 


BY 

JOHN  S.  MEMES,  LL.D. 

AUTHOR  OF  "THE  HISTORY  OF  SCULPTURE,  PAINTING, 
AND  ARCHITECTURE,"  ETC. 


NEW-YORK: 
PUBLISHED  BY  HARPER  &  BROTHERS. 

NO.    82    CUFF -STREET. 

1838. 


GIFT 


M  ¥7 
PREFACE. 

' 


THE  biographer  who  professes  to  write  from 
other  sources  than  personal  knowledge  can  claim 
little  merit  beyond  diligent  inquiry  and  happy  ar 
rangement.  Whether  he  has  been  fortunate  in 
their  combination  does  not  belong  to  the  author  to 
determine  ;  but  he  believes  the  materials  will  be 
found  to  have  been  laboriously  collected  and  care- 
fully examined.  Upwards  of  one  hundred  vol- 
umes, many  of  them  unknown  to  the  English 
reader,  have  been  consulted  ;  but  it  was  deemed 
unnecessary  to  crowd  the  page  with  references, 
especially  as  the  main  facts  in  these  Memoirs  are 
made  to  rest  chiefly  on  the  authority  of  the  prin- 
cipal personage.  The  numerous  letters  and  con- 
versations of  the  Empress  which  appear  in  the 
volume,  are  from  originals  understood  to  be  still  in 
possession  of  her  family,  or  from  sources  equally 
authentic.  In  its  plan,  however,  and  composition, 
the  present  is  strictly  an  original  work,  since 
no  complete  Life  of  Josephine  has  previously  ap- 
peared. 

By  all  who  wisely  prefer,  or  whose  duty  leads 
them  to  cultivate,  the  virtues  and  dispositions  which 
in  domestic  life  impart  a  charm  beyond  all  that 
greatness  can  bestow,  the  life  of  Josephine  will  be 
viewed  with  pleasure,  and  in  many  things  may  be 
imitated  not  without  advantage. 

408 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Josephine— Her  Birth  and  Parentage— Brought  lip  by  her  Aunt— Anec- 
dotes of  her  Infancy — Education  and  Accomplishments — Her  Letters 
— Amusements  —  Mysterious  Prediction  —  Superstition  —  Josephine 
marries  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais— Anecdotes— Accompanies  her  Hus- 
band to  France— Births  of  hor  Children — Separation — Return  to  Mar- 
tinico— Poverty — History  of  an  old  Pair  of  Shoes— Reconciliation 
with  her  Husband— Commencement  of  the  Revolution— Views  and 
Conduct  of  Beauharnais— Letter  to  the  Convention  from  his  elder 
•  Brother — Louis  XVI.  and  his  Persecutors— Beauharnais  appointed 
Commander-in-chief  on  the  Rhine — A  Despatch  from  him  to  the  Con, 
vention— Jacobins  and  Girondists — Beauharnais  superseded,  and  im- 
prisoned—Letter from  Josephine— Circumstances  of  the  Arrest — Note 
from  Josephine— Letter  from  her  Husband — Reckless  Behaviour  of 
the  Revolutionary  Captives Page  13 

CHAPTER  H. 

Josephine's  Charities— Note— Letter  to  her  Aunt— Examination  of  her 
Husband — The  ludicrous  and  horrible  of  Revolutionary  Justice— Let- 
ter from  Josephine — Affecting  Interview — Eugene— Hor  tense— Letter 
— Villany  of  the  Revolutionary  Spies— Conversation  betrayed — Pre- 
tended Conspiracy  of  M.  de  Beauharnais— Letter  from  Josephine — 
Examination  of  her  Children— Another  Letter — Her  Interview  with 
the  Committee— Anecdotes— Dungeons  of  the  Committee— Letter  to 
her  Husband — Anecdotes— Delusions — Reply  —  Robespierre  —  Jose- 
phine's Arrest— Affecting  Details— Horrible  Prison— Anecdotes— Dis- 
persion of  the  Beauharnais  Family 49 

CHAPTER  III. 

Outline  of  the  Revolutionary  Government— Josephine  ignorant  of  its 
true  Nature — Sources  of  her  Confidence— Her  Conduct  in  Prison — 
Letter  describing  her  Situation  and  Fellow-Captives—Letter  to  her 
Husband— Massacre  of  the  Priests— Affecting  Incident— Letter  in 
reply— Conclusion  of  the  History  of  Tommy— The  Noblesse— Letters 
to  her  Children— To  Hortense — To  Si  gas— A  last  Interview — Execu- 
tion of  M.  de  Benuharnais — His  Letter  to  Josephine — Her  Distress — 
Letter  of  the  Dutchess  D'Aiguillon— Josephine  prepares  for  Death — 
Tal»»  of  Robespierre— Singular  Correspondence — Prediction— Queen 
of  Ihnnce 78 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

State  of  France — Liberation  of  Josephine— Her  Distress— Anecdotes- 
Letter — Madame  Tallien — Anecdotes — Letter — Eugene — Anniversary 
of  his  Father's  Death — Commencement  of  Josephine's  Correspond- 
ence with  General  Bonaparte— Anecdotes— Their  first  Interview- 
Letter — Josephine's  Opinion  of  her  future  Husband — Hesitation — 
Marriage— First  Campaign  of  Italy — Letters  of  Bonaparte  to  his  Wife 
— Josephine  at  Milan — Anecdotes — Espionage — Traits  of  Bonaparte's 
Character — His  Affection  for  Josephine's  Children— Congress  of  Ras- 
tadt— Campaign  of  the  East — Parting Page  115 

CHAPTER  V. 

Accident  at  Plombi£res— Josephine's  Danger— Hortense — Anecdotes — 
Education — Anecdotes — The  Ghost— Malmaison — Barras  and  Jose- 
phine— Vindication — Emigrants— Jealousy  of  Bonaparte— Letter  from 
his  Wife — Josephine  in  private  Life— Letter  to  Eugene— Domestic 
Details— Occupations— Debts  of  Josephine — Uncertainty— Thoughts 
of  Divorce— Anecdotes— Talleyrand— Return  of  Bonaparte— Misun- 
derstandings—Reconciliation  147 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Political  Retrospect — State  of  France— Josephine  a  Royalist — Conduct 
of  Bonaparte — Eugene — Anecdotes — Ventriloquism — The  Stammerers 
— Morning  of  the  18th  Brumaire— The  Consul — Marriage  of  Caroline 
Bonaparte  and  Murat— Treachery  of  the  King  of  Naples— Josephine's 
Letter  to  the  Emperor — Installation  in  the  Tuileries — First  Assembly 
— Josephine's  Dress— Description  of  her  Person— Residence  at  Mal- 
maison—Attempts  to  assassinate  the  Consul— Anecdotes — Marengo — 
Anecdotes— Return — Amusements  at  Malmaison — Emigrants — Kind- 
ness of  Josephine— Anecdote— Infernal  Machine— Anecdotes — Mar- 
riage of  Louis  and  Hortense— Letters — Flotilla — Nelson— Peace  of 
Amiens— Brilliant  State  of  France— English  Visiters— Fox,  &c.— In- 
vasion— Camp  of  Boulogne — Anecdotes— Death  of  the  Duke  D'E  nghien 
— Despair  of  Josephine — Conspiracy  of  Pichegru,  &c. — Preparations 
for  the  Empire 182 

CHAPTER  VH. 

Josephine  Empress — Her  Letter  to  Napoleon— Formation  of  the  Imperial 
Court — Letters  by  Josephine— Conspirators — Exertions  of  the  Em- 
press for  their  Pardon — Anecdotes  of  the  Polignacs — De  Rivie"re — 
Affecting  Scene— Anecdotes  of  Moreau  and  Napoleon — First  public 
Appearance  as  Empress — Legion  of  Honour— Grandeur  and  Mean- 
ness— Napoleon  and  Alexander  the  Great — Tour  to  Mayence — Jose- 
phine's Mode  of  Travelling — Anecdotes— Napoleon  rejoins  the  Em- 
S'ess — Espionage— Continuation  of  the  Journey — Breakfast — The 
inner — Method  of  examining  Magistrates — Evening's  Tales — Return 
to  Paris— Letter  from  Josephine  to  Pius  VII.— Religious  Marriage  of 
Josephine— Ceremonial  of  the  Coronation — Dresses,  Anecdotes,  &c. — 
Napoleon's  Visit  to  Brienne — Coronation  at  Milan— Josephine  Regent 
—Letter  to  Cambace'r6s— Austerlitz  announced — Marriage  of  Eugena 


CONTENTS.  XI 

•^Description,  of  the  Manners,  Life,  Occupations,  and  Amusements 
of  Josephine  as  Empress,  with  Anecdotes  of  her  Character — Letters 
—Anecdotes  of  Napoleon  and  of  the  Imperial  Household,  with  other 
illustrations  of  this  Subject Page  245 

CHAPTER  Vm. 

jfonng  Napoleon  of  Holland— His  Death,  and  Anecdotes  of  his  Dispo- 
sition— Josephine  at  Bayonne— Extracts  from  her  Journal— Opinions 
of  the  Affairs  of  Spain — Return  to  St.  Cloud,  and  last  Game  at  "  Pris- 
oners' Base"— Interview  at  Erfurth,  and  Napoleon's  Dream— Second 
Campaign  of  Vienna— Death  of  Lannes,  and  Connexion  of. Events 
with  the  Divorce— Treaty  of  Schoenbrunn,  and  Return  of  Napoleon 
— Scenes  at  Fontainbleau — Announcement  of  the  Divorce — Misery 
and  Resignation  of  Josephine— Letter  to  Napoleon— Eugene  and  Hor- 
tense— Consummation  of  the  Divorce,  and  Departure  of  the  Empress 
— Her  Manner  of  Life  at  Malmaison  and  Navarre— Birth  of  the  King 
of  Rome— Letters  and  Anecdotes  illustrative  of  Josephine's  Interest 
in  Maria  Louisa  and  her  Son — Russian  and  Saxon  Campaigns — Re- 
verses of  Napoleon,  and  Attachment  of  Josephine — Their  Correspond- 
ence—Abdication— Attentions  shown  to  Josephine — Her  last  Illness — 
Death—and  Character 323 


i 


MEMOIRS 


THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Josephine — Her  Birth  and  Parentage — Brought  np  by  her  Aunt — Anec- 
dotes of  her  Infancy — Education  and  Accomplishments — Her  Letters 
—  Amusements  —  Mysterious  .Prediction  —  Superstition  —  Josephine 
marries  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais — Anecdotes — Accompanies  her  Hus- 
band to  France — Births  of  her  Children — Separation — Return  to  Mar- 
tinico— Poverty — History  of  an  old  Pair  of  Shoes — Reconciliation 
with  her  Husband — Commencement  of  the  Revolution — Views  and 
Conduct  of  Beauharnais— Letter  to  the  Convention  from  his  elder 
Brother— Louis  XVI.  and  his  Persecutors— Beauharnais  appointed 
Commander-in-chief  on  the  Rhine — A  Despatch  from  him  to  the  Con- 
vention— Jacobins  and  Girondists — Beauharnais  superseded,  and  im- 
prisoned— Letter  from  Josephine — Circumstances  of  the  Arrest — Note 
from  Josephine — Letter  from  her  Husband — Reckless  Behaviour  of 
the  Revolutionary  Captives: 

JOSEPHINE,  the  partner  of  a  throne  the  most  power- 
ful which,  from  the  era  of  Charlemagne,  had  ex- 
isted in  Europe  for  a  thousand  years,  originally  be- 
longed to  a  rank  in  society  hardly  the  first,  in  a 
distant  colony  of  the  French  monarchy.  But  if  her 
elevation  was  great,  few  could  have  borne  its  honours 
with  equal  meekness  or  truer  grace ;  and  perhaps  no 
one  ever  rose  to  a  sceptre  less  envied,  or  descended 
from  royalty  more  universally  beloved. 

The  name  of  this  celebrated  lady  has  been  va- 
riously given ;  the  only  decisive  authority, — her  own 
signature  to  a  public  document, — is  M.  J.  R.  Tascher, 
or  Marie- Joseph-Rose-Tascher.  These  are  jointly 
the  baptismal  appellations  of  both  parents.  Her 
B 


14  MEMOIRS    OF 

father  was  Joseph-Gaspard-Tascher,  frequently,  but 
improperly,  written  Detascher,  and  her  mother,  Rose- 
Claire-Desvergers  de  Sanois, — both  natives  of  France, 
though  married  in  St.  Domingo  about  1761.  Of  these 
individuals,  now  become  historical  personages,  little 
interesting  information  has  been  preserved.  Occu 
rences  in  private  life  are  seldom  retained,  and  ca 
rarely  be  recovered,  when  they  derive  their  sole  in 
portance  from  unexpected  and  long  subsequent 
events.  M.  Tascher  had  early  embraced  a  military 
career,  and  attained  the  rank  of  captain  in  a  regiment 
of  horse.  This  station  necessarily  implies  honour- 
able descent,  even  were  there  not  other  means  of 
ascertaining  the  condition  of  his  family ;  for  certain 
quarterings  ofoiobility,  as  the  term  goes  on  the  Con- 
tinent, consflpited  a  qualification  indispensable  to  an 
officer,  especially  of  cavalry,  in  the  armies  of  old 
France.  He  appears  to  have  proceeded  to  the  West 
Indies  on  professional  duty  some  time  in  1758,  but, 
at  the  period  of  his  daughter's  birth,  had  retired  from 
the  service,  and  then  resided  upon  an  estate  in  St. 
Domingo,  called  La  Pagerie.  Of  his  wife:  Mademoi- 
selle de  Sanois,  almost  no  particular  is  recorded  be- 
yond the  fact  of  her  having  been  the  daughter  of  an 
ancient  and  respectable  family  in  one  of  the  southern 
provinces,  which,  some  years  prior  to  her  union 
with  Captain  Tascher,  falling  into  straitened,  or,  at 
least,  less  opulent  circumstances,  from  the  unsuc- 
cessful issue  of  a  lawsuit,  had  retired  to  possessions 
in  the  New  World. 

Of  this  parentage,  the  only  child,  the  subject  of 
these  Memoirs,  was  born  at  St.  Pierre,  the  capital 
of  Martinico,  on  the  23d  of  June,  1763.  By  some 
authorities,  and  among  others,  the  act  of  her  civil 
marriage  with  Bonaparte,  still  extant  on  the  revolu- 
tionary registers  of  Paris,  Josephine's  birth  is 
placed  in  1767.  The  four  years,  however,  thus  de- 
ducted from  her  real  age  must  be  assigned  either  to 
mistake  or,  not  improbably,  in  the  instance  quoted, 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  15 

to  voluntary  forgetfulness.  It  is  deserving  of  notice 
also,  as  something  like  a  mutual  abnegation  of 
curious  inquiry  on  this  head,  that  in  the  same  in- 
strument one  year  is  added  to  the  General's  age. 
The  births  of  the  children  of  her  first  marriage  are 
likewise  decisive  on  the  point;  and,  in  truth,  so 
little  attention  has  been  paid  to  consistency  here, 
*  that  we  have  read  biographies  of  Josephine,  whose 
'  authors,  with  an  innocent  inadvertence  to  the  fact, 
make  her  a  mother  at  the  age  of  little  more  than 
ten  years. 

The  infancy  and  youth  of  Josephine  were  passed, 
not  under  the  paternal  roof,  but  with  an  aunt.  In- 
stead, therefore,  of  returning  to  St.  Domingo  with 
her  parents,  the  infant  remained  in  thejsland  of  Mar- 
tinico.  We  can  discover  no  cause  for  this,  save  a 
family  arrangement  in  the  first  instance,  and  the 
premature  death  of  her  mother.  Without  being 
aware  of  these  circumstances,  however,  and  per- 
haps not  recollecting  that  her  father  died  before  she 
had  become  known,  the  reader  might  deem  it  re- 
markable, and  even  ungrateful,  that  Josephine  so 
seldom  mentioned,  and  consequently  has  left  such 
slight  and  imperfect  memorials  of  her  parents. 
But  opportunities  will  hereafter  occur  of  proving, 
from  her  aifectionate  attention  to  every  surviving 
member  of  her  father's  family,  and  unshaken  friend- 
ship for  the  relatives  of  her  first  husband,  that  hers 
was  a  heart  incapable  alike  of  ingratitude,  as  of 
feeling  ashamed  of  an  humble  origin.  She  appears, 
in  truth,  to  have  remembered  nothing  of  her  mother, 
and  extremely  little  of  her  father ;  for,  while  writing 
and  speaking  in  the  most  endearing  terms  of  her 
aunt, — "  that  excellent  woman,"  to  use  her  own  ex- 
pression, "  that  tender  mother,  that  perfect  being 
whose  virtues  you,  my  children,  have  so  often  heard 
me  extol," — she  makes  no  mention,  in  a  letter  which 
there  was  every  reason  to  suppose  would  be  her  last, 


16  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  either  father  or  mother,  even  so  distantly  as  to  in- 
duce the  belief  that  she  had  ever  known  them. 

Madame  Renaudin,  the  amiable  guide  to  whom 
Josephine's  infancy  was  thus  intrusted,  had  married 
a  gentleman  who,  with  considerable  estates  of  his 
own,  acted  also  as  factor  on  others,  of  which  the 
proprietors  resided  in  the  mother  country.  He  ap- 
pears to  have  been  a  person  of  great  worth,  and  had 
rendered  himself  known  over  the  whole  of  the 
islands  for  a  humane  yet  successful  treatment  of  his 
slaves.  At  this  period,  the  seven  or  eight  hundred 
negroes  in  Martinico  were  generally  in  a  most  de- 
plorable state ;  and  Josephine  has  drawn  a  frightful 
contrast  between  "the  African  who,  with  sweat, 
and  even  blood,  laboured  a  soil  which  was  not  thus 
fertilized  for  him,  and  those  tyrants  who,  by  such 
detestable  means,  wallowed  in  riches,  and  gorged 
themselves  with  luxury.  Such,"  continues  she, 
"  was  the  aspect  presented  throughout  the  colony. 
The  appearance  of  the  habitation  of  my  infancy 
was  very  different.  There  indeed  still  existed  the 
distinction  of  master  and  slave ;  but  the  former  ex- 
ercised his  power  without  cruelty,  and  the  latter, 
faithful  and  zealous,  lived  exempt  from  sorrow. 
With  the  exception  of  freedom,  the  blacks  partici- 
pated in  all  the  advantages  of  social  communion, 
and  shared  the  pleasures  of  life.  Their  attach- 
ments were  not  rudely  severed,  but  well-assorted 
marriages  recompensed  their  tried  fidelity.  Far 
from  their  country,  they  thus  experienced  the  ties 
of  family  and  friendship  gathering  around  them ; 
and  while  performing  their  national  dances  to  the 
sound  of  their  own  simple  music,  they  wept  tears 
of  joy,  and  found  they  had  recovered  a  home." 

In  a  residence  thus  endeared  by  humanity,  and 
embellished  by  the  accomplishments  of  her  aunt, 
Josephine  passed  an  infancy  and  early  youth  of  un- 
mingled  happiness.  Often  did  she  revert  in  after 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  17 

hfe  to  the  peaceful  enjoyments  of  that  period,  not, 
indeed,  with  regret  for  having  left  her  seclusion,  but 
with  bitter  disappointment  that  its  sweets  were  so 
rarely  the  growth  of  the  great  world.  Long  and 
deeply,  too,  did  her  good  relative  bewail  the  separa- 
tion which  she  herself  had  first  sanctioned  and  ad- 
vised. 

Even  from  her  earliest  years,  Josephine  appears  to 
have  displayed  those  excellencies  of  character,  and 
that  elegance  of  demeanour,  which,  amid  some  fri- 
volities, render  her  so  amiable  in  every  change  of  her 
checkered  life,  and  enabled  her,  in  gentleness,  yet 
not  without  dignity,  to  maintain  an  influence  over  a 
spirit  so  differently  constituted  from  her  own.  From 
a  child,  opening  beauty  and  sprightliness,  united  with 
perfect  good  nature,  rendered  her  the  delight  of  her 
own  circle.  As  she  advanced,  native  refinement 
supplied  the  external  deficiencies  of  accomplished 
instruction  denied  by  her  situation,  though  her  future 
attainments  certainly  prove,  that  what  aids  a  colo- 
nial residence  afforded  had  not  been  neglected  in  her 
education.  It  is  also  to  be  remembered,  that  her  aunt 
had  been  brought  up  in  the  mother  country,  and  was 
a  woman  admirable  alike  for  the  accomplishments  of 
the  mind  and  the  qualities  of  the  heart.  The  general 
tone  of  society,  also,  prevailing  at  this  time  in  the 
French  American  settlements,  as  respected  the  in- 
telligence, manners,  and  birth  of  the  proprietors,  very 
much  surpassed  the  state  of  the  same  colonies  at  a 
subsequent  period.  This  remark  particularly  applies 
to  Martinico,  by  reason  of  its  superior  climate,  and 
the  peaceful  dispositions  of  the  population.  Towards 
the  womanho.od  of  Josephine,  likewise,  the  incipient 
stirrings  of  convulsion  at  home,  and,  still  more  di- 
rectly, the  transactions  on  the  American  continent, 
attracted  numbers  of  enterprising  and  accomplished 
Frenchmen  to  the  islands,  who  there  found  a  tempo- 
rary station  whence  they  might  observe  the  posture 
of  affairs,  or  a  retreat  after  the  struggle  had  ceased. 
B2 


18  MEMOIRS    OF 

\ 

All  these  circumstances  tended  to  enlarge  her  oppor- 
tunities of  improvement,  and  prepared  her  early  for 
the  splendid  part  she  was  destined  to  act. 

These  considerations,  general  as  some  of  them 
are,  possess  value  when  viewed  in  opposition  to 
opinions  which  have  been  expressed  on  the  subject, 
as  furnishing  presumptive  evidence  that  Josephine's 
had  been  at  least  equal  to  the  education  of  young 
females  of  the  same  rank  at  home.  In  fact,  with  such 
domestic  advantages,  the  reasonable  conclusion  would 
be,  that  it  was  greatly  superior.  But  we  are  not  left 
to  inferences,  however  plausible,  on  this  interesting 
subject.  As  regards  accomplishments,  she  played, 
especially  on  the  harp,  and  sung  with  exquisite  feel- 
ing, and  with  science  sufficient  to  render  listening  an 
intellectual  pleasure,  without  exciting  the  surmise 
that  the  cultivation  of  attainments  less  showy,  but 
more  valuable,  had  been  sacrificed.  Her  dancing  is 
said  to  have  been  perfect.  An  eyewitness  describes 
her  light  form,  rising  scarcely  above  the  middle  size, 
as  seeming  in  its  faultless  symmetry  to  float  rather 
than  to  move, — the  very  personation  of  Grace.  She 
exercised  her  pencil  and — though  such  be  not  now 
antiquated  for  an  elegante, — her  needle  and  embroi- 
dering frame  with  beautiful  address.  "A  love  of  flow- 
ers," that  truly  feminine  aspiration,  and,  according 
to  a  master  in  elegance  and  virtue,  infallible  index  of 
purity  of  heart,  was  with  her  no  uninstructed  admi- 
ration, She  had  early  cultivated  a  knowledge  of 
botany,  a  study  of  all  others  especially  adapted  to 
the  female  mind,  which  exercises  without  fatiguing 
the  understanding,  and  leads  the  thoughts  to  hold 
converse  with  heaven  through  the  sweetest  objects 
of  earth,  To  the  Empress  Josephine  France  and 
Europe  are  indebted  for  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
of  vegetable  productions, — the  Camelia.  In  all  to 
which  the  empire  of  woman's  taste  rightly  extends, 
hers  was  exquisitely  just,  and  simple  as  it  was  re- 
fined, Her  Sjense  of  the  becoming  and  the  proper  in 


THE  EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  19 

all  things,  and  under  every  variety  of  circumstances, 
appe ared  native  and  intuitive .  She  read  delightfully ; 
and  nature  had  been  here  peculiarly  propitious :  for 
so  harmonious  were  the  tones  of  her  voice,  even  in 
the  most  ordinary  conversation,  that  instances  are 
common  of  those  who,  coming  unexpectedly  and 
unseen  within  their  influence,  have  remained  as  if 
suddenly  fascinated  and  spellbound,  till  the  sounds 
ceased,  or  fear  of  discovery  forced  the  listener  away. 
Like  the  harp  of  David  on  the  troubled  breast  of  Is- 
rael's king,  this  charm  is  known  to  have  wrought 
powerfully  upon  Napoleon.  His  own  admission  was, 
"  The  first  applause  of  the  French  people  sounded  to 
my  ear  sweet  as  the  voice  of  Josephine.1" 

The  preceding  attainments  perhaps  scarcely  ex- 
tend beyond  mere  accomplishment.  They  show  a 
mental  organization,  however,  singularly  delicate, 
susceptible,  and  refined ;  and,  unless  we  are  deceived, 
the  reader  will  discover  in  the  numerous  letters  of 
the  present  volume  proofs,  not  only  of  a  mind  highly 
cultivated,  but  of  a  soundness  and  expanse  of 
judgment  for  which  Josephine  has  not  always  ob- 
tained credit.  In  the  originals  is  found  a  gracefm 
ease  not  inferior  to  the  playful  elegance  of  De  Se- 
vigne,  combined  with  a  simplicity  and  unpretending 
expression  of  sentiment  which  the  more  ambitious 
compositions  of  the  latter  frequently  want.  Many  of 
these,  too,  were  written  while  she  was  still  very 
young,  and  in  the  midst  of  tribulation. 

In  here  adverting  to  the  mental  endowments  of 
Josephine,  the  mtention  is  not  to  represent  her  in  any 
other  light  than  as  an  elegant  and  interesting  woman, 
formed  to  be  the  ornament  of  private  life,  but  having 
no  pretensions,  save  by  some  strange  vicissitude,  to 
emerge  from  its  peaceful  seclusion.  At  the  same 
time,  it  seemed  desirable  early  to  inform  the  reader, 
in  contradiction  to  unaccredited  or  prejudiced  report, 
that,  even  in  her  humblest  state,  she  manifested  those 
talents  and  graces  which  rendered  her  not  unworthy 


20  MEMOIRS   OF 

of  the  high  fortunes  they  afterward  adorned.— 
Doubtless  she  owed  much  to  her  final  station,  wherein 
many  accomplishments  had  been  acquired,  and  all 
subsequently  improved ;  yet  still  are  we  chiefly  inter- 
ested in  the  individual,  if  not  apart  from,  at  least  in- 
dependently of,  her  singular  destinies.  Her  earliest 
correspondence,  and  first  exercise  of  worldly  know- 
ledge, show  attainments  which — and  in  this  light 
they  may  seem  almost  extraordinary — must  have 
been  acquired  by  a  simple  Creole  girl ;  while  on  her 
first  introduction  to  the  most  brilliant  circle  in  Europe, 
her  dignified  ease  of  manner,  and  simple  elegance  of 
deportment,  attracted  the  same  admiration  as  they 
afterward  commanded  in  the  Louvre  and  the  Tuil- 
eries. 

With  the  happy  dispositions  which  have  already 
been  described  as  pervading  the  establishment  of  her 
relatives,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  youthful 
recreations  of  Josephine  experienced  any  restraint 
from  fears  of  her  attendants,  and  little  from  thoir 
difference  of  situation.  The  companion  of  her  in- 
fancy was  a  mulatto  girl,  some  years  older,  her  fos- 
ter-sister, and,  as  is  said,  though  upon  no  certain 
grounds,  the  daughter  also  of  Captain  Tascher  before 
his  marriage.  The  name  of  this  dependant,  who 
never  afterward  quitted  her  patroness,  was  Euphe- 
mie.  In  all  the  amusements  and  rambles  of  her 
young  mistress,  Euphemie  was  the  faithful  and  affec- 
tionate partner.  With  such  a  friend,  her  own  kind- 
liness of  heart,  and  the  harmony  which  here  reigned 
between  master  and  slave,  it  excites  no  surprise 
that  Josephine  became  the  universal  favourite  of  the 
sable  maidens  of  the  neighbourhood,  or  that  she 
should  frequently  join  in  their  dances,  or  listen  to 
their  songs  beneath  the  tropical  shade  of  the  palm  and 
the  tamarind.  In  truth,  she  herself  has  said,  in  the 
unaffected  language  of  humanity,  "  I  was  no  stran- 
ger to  their  sports,  for,  I  trust,  I  proved  myself  nei- 
ther insensible  to  their  griefs,  nor  indifferent  to  their 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  2 1 

labours."  On  one  of  these  occasions  an  incident 
occurred,  the  only  one  very  particularly  recorded  of 
her  early  years,  which  exercised  an  influence,  at 
least  over  her  imagination,  almost  to  the  latest  hour 
of  her  existence.  The  following  is  the  narrative,  in 
her  own  words,  as  she  long  afterward  related  the  cir- 
cumstances to  the  ladies  of  her  court : — 

"  One  day,  some  time  before  my  first  marriage, 
while  taking  my  usual  walk,  I  observed  a  number  of 
negro  girls  assembled  round  an  old  woman,  engaged 
in  telling  their  fortunes.  I  drew  near  to  observe  their 
proceedings.  The  old  sibyl,  on  beholding  me,  uttered 
a  loud  exclamation,  and  almost  by  force  seized  my 
hand.  She  appeared  to  be  under  the  greatest  agita- 
tion. Amused  at  these  absurdities,  as  I  thought 
them,  I  allowed  her  to  proceed,  saying,  '  So  you 
discover  something  extraordinary  in  my  destiny  ?'-— 
*  Yes.' — '  Is  happiness  or  misfortune  to  be  my  lot  ?' 
— '  Misfortune.  Ah,  stop  ! — and  happiness  too.' — 
'  You  take  care  not  to  commit  yourself,  my  good 
dame ;  your  oracles  are  not  the  most  intelligible.' — 
'  I  am  not  permitted  to  render  them  more  clear,' 
said  the  woman,  raising  her  eyes  with  a  mysterious 
expression  towards  heaven. — 'But  to  the  point,' 
replied  I,  for  my  curiosity  began  to  be  excited; 
'what  read  you  concerning  me  in  futurity?' — 
'  What  do  I  see  in  the  future  ?  You  will  not  believe 
me  if  I  speak.' — '  Yes,  indeed,  I  assure  you.  Come, 
my  good  mother,  what  am  I  to  fear  and  hope  V — 
4  On  your  own  head  be  it  then ;  listen :  You  will 
be  married  soon ;  that  union  will  not  be  happy ;  you 
will  become  a  widow,  and  then — then  you  will  be 
Queen  of  France !  Some  happy  years  will  be  yours ; 
but  you  will  die  in  an  hospital,  amid  civil  commotion.' 

"On  concluding  these  words,"  continued  Jose- 
phine, "  the  old  woman  burst  from  the  crowd,  and 
hurried  away,  as  fast  as  her  limbs,  enfeebled  by  age, 
would  permit.  I  forbade  the  bystanders  to  molest 
or  banter  the  pretended  prophetess  on  this  ridiculous 


22  MEMOIRS    OF 

prediction ;  and  took  occasion,  from  the  seeming  ab  • 
surdity  of  the  whole  proceeding,  to  caution  the  young 
negresses  how  they  gave  heed  to  such  matters. — 
Henceforth,  I  thought  of  the  affair  only  to  laugh  at 
it  with  my  relatives.  But  afterward,  when  my  hus- 
band had  perished  on  the  scaffold,  in  spite  of  my 
better  judgment,  this  prediction  forcibly  recurred  to 
my  mind  after  a  lapse  of  years  ;  and  though  I  was 
myself  then  in  prison,  the  transaction  daily  assumed 
a  less  improbable  character,  and  I  ended  by  regarding  * 
the  fulfilment  as  almost  a  matter  of  course." 

The  above  recital  might  be  corroborated,  if  neces- 
sary, by  the  evidence  of  various  persons,  who,  at 
different  times,  had  likewise  heard  it  from  the  lips  of 
the  individual  concerned.  One  of  these  has  given 
the  narrative  with  less  simplicity,  but  more  dramatic 
effect,  by  putting  into  the  mouth  of  the  sable  pro- 
phetess the  words — "  Thou  shalt  be  greater,  yet 
less,  than  Queen  of  France  !"  As  the  writer,  how- 
ever, professes  a  knowledge  of  English  literature, 
this  variation  may  be  set  down  to  an  imitation  of 
Shakspeare's  weird  sisters.  Be  this  as  it  may,  that 
such  a  prediction  was  actually  delivered  at  the  time 
there  appears  no  reason  to  doubt ;  and  that  Josephine 
mentioned,  and  even  in  some  measure  acted  upon  it, 
before  events  had  transpired,  is  certain.  She  was, 
unquestionably,  superstitious,  but  by  no  means  to  the 
extent  which  has  been  attributed  to  her ;  and  it  is 
likewise  true,  that  even  during  her  most  prosperous 
fortunes,  she  discountenanced  in  her  attendants  all 
tampering  with  futurity — not  as  giving  credit  to  the ' 
absurdities  of  fortune-telling,  but  because  allusion  to 
the  subject,  by  recalling  the  prediction  of  her  own 
melancholy  end,  seemed  to  bring  a  cloud  over  her 
spirit.  In  a  life  conversant  with  many  and  extra- 
ordinary chances  and  changes,  a  deep-felt,  perhaps 
improper,  anxiety  about  things  to  come  is  not  easily 
subdued ;  and  to  those  whose  past  history  discloses 
inexplicable  elevation,  especially  where  religion  is 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  23 

not  the  guiding  light,  all  appears  so  contingent,  that 
as  a  hazard  seems  to  have  raised,  so  a  nothing  may 
reverse.  Over  minds  in  this  situation  an  apprehen- 
sive uncertainty,  rather  than  belief,  respecting  the 
mysterious  shadowings  of  the  future  in  the  past, 
obtains  a  power  which  springs  rather  from  moral 
distemperature  than  superstition ;  and  which  those 
whose  days  have  been  of  more  equal  tenor,  or  their 
principles  better  fixed,  though  they  cannot  sympa- 
thize, are  called  upon  to  excuse  and  to  pity.  In 
favour  of  this  lenity,  Josephine's  affecting  conclu- 
sion of  the  narrative  which  has  occasioned  these 
reflections  supplies  a  strong  argument : 

"  Such,  ladies,  is  the  exact  truth  respecting  this  so 
celebrated  prophecy.  The  end  gives  me  but  little 
inquietude.  I  live  here  [at  Navarre,  after  the  divorce] 
peacefully,  and  in  retirement;  I  have  no  concern 
with  politics  ;  I  endeavour  to  do  all  the  good  in  my 
power ;  and  thus  I  hope  to  die  calmly  in  my  bed.  It 
is  true  that  Marie  Antoinette" —  Here  Josephine 
paused,  apparently  overcome  by  the  conviction  that 
this  instance  was  against  her  own  conclusions,  and 
that  in  civil  strife  virtue  affords  no  protection  against 
popular  fury.  Her  ladies  affectionately  hastened  to 
change  the  conversation. 

At  the  period  to  which  the  above  incident  refers, 
nothing  could  possibly  seem  more  unlikely  than  the 
accomplishment  of  the  prediction.  All  concurred  to 
render  it  apparently  certain,  that  for  Mademoiselle 
Tascher  was  destined  the  hand  of  some  Creole  youth, 
and  a  tranquilly  indolent  existence  on  one  of  the 
neighbouring  plantations.  Indeed,  it  appears  that 
some  such  arrangement  had  already  been  contem- 
plated by  her  relatives.  Would  Josephine  have  thus 
been  happier,  is  a  question  which  naturally  occurs  to 
the  mind,  and  to  which  an  answer  in  the  affirmative 
would  probably  be  the  general  reply,  though  the 
opposite  seems  nearer  the  true  conclusion.  She  was 
not  exempt  from  ambition,  "  and,"  to  use  her  own 


24  MEMOIRS    OF 

words,  "  gloried  in  her  relations  as  a  mother,  and  as 
a  wife."  On  these  grounds,  with  many  misfortunes, 
she  had  also  causes  of  no  common  exultation.  Hers, 
too,  was  peculiarly  one  of  those  dispositions  over 
which,  as  the  flower  bends  beneath  the  storm  to  give 
its  bosom  wholly  to  the  sunshine,  the  evils  of  life 
pass  lightly,  but  whose  glad  sensibilities  expand  to 
every  gleam  of  happiness. 

By  becoming  the  wife  of  Vicomte  Alexander  de 
Beauharnais,  Josephine,  on  the  completion  of  her 
sixteenth  year,  fulfilled  the  first  step  in  her  destined 
greatness.  Various  circumstances  had  brought  this 
young  nobleman  to  the  New  World,  among  which 
the  occurrences  then  taking  place  in  the  British 
American  colonies  were  among  the  chief.  What 
part  he  actually  assumed  in  the  war  of  independence 
does  not  appear ;  but  he  certainly  engaged  on  the 
side  of  the  revolted  colonists,  and,  in  Josephine's  own 
words,  "  had  embraced  the  new  ideas  with  all  the 
ardour  of  a  very  lively  imagination."  He  already 
held  a  commission  in  the  French  army ;  and,  if  we 
may  credit  the  same,  perhaps  partial,  authority,  had 
previously  shown  himself  to  be  a  young  ofiicer  of 
promising  merit.  Be  this  as  it  may,  his  subsequent 
conduct  discovers  strong  predilections  in  favour  of 
popular  government,  united  with  considerable  mili- 
tary experience.  In  America  both  these  qualities  had 
been  fostered ;  for,  like  numbers  of  his  countrymen 
and  profession,  he  had  clandestinely  embarked  in  the 
quarrel  long  before  any  regular  declaration,  and  the 
expedition  fitted  out  under  D'Estaing,  in  the  spring 
of  1778.  Such  adventurers,  it  is  well  known,  were 
indirectly  countenanced  by  their  government. 

The  immediate  cause  of  this  young  officer's  arrival 
in  Martinico  was  the  necessity  of  proving  a  right 
to  large  estates  which  had  fallen  by  inheritance  to 
him  and  his  brother,  the  present  aged  and  respectable 
Marquis  de  Beauharnais.  How  strangely  fortuitous 
seem  frequently  the  events  of  human  life!  It 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  25 

happened  that  these  very  domains  bordered  on  the 
property  of  M.  Renaufon,  and  were  at  the  very  date 
in  question,  held  by  him  on  lease.  This  naturally 
enough  made  the  young  people  acquainted ;  and  a 
mutual  attachment  ensued  between  Beauharnais  and 
Josephine.  Circumstances  seemed  to  concur  in  ren- 
dering this  a  very  suitable  union,  as  respected  both 
the  interests  and  the  affections  of  the  youthful  parties. 
But  unexpected  obstacles  arose  in  the  opposition  of 
relatives,  which  Josephine  surmounted  with  a  gentle- 
ness and  address  hardly  to  have  been  expected  in  a 
girl  of  sixteen.  In  writing  to  her  children,  in  1794, 
on  this  subject,  she  remarks,  "  If  to  my  union  with 
your  father  I  have  been  indebted  for  all  my  happiness, 
I  dare  to  think  and  say,  that  to  my  own  character  I 
owe  our  union,  so  many  were  the  obstacles  which 
opposed  us !  Yet,  without  any  efforts  of  talent,  I 
effected  their  removal.  I  found,  in  my  own  heart, 
the  means  of  gaining  the  affection  of  my  husband's 
relations :  patience  and  kindness  will  ever  in  the  end 
conciliate  the  good-will  of  others.  You,  too,  my 
children,  possess  those  natural  advantages  which 
cost  so  little,  a  id  are  of  such  avail ;  but  it  is  neces- 
sary to  knL-v  how  to  employ  them  rightly,  and  I 
have  pleasure  in  thus  once  more  recommending  to 
you  my  own  example." 

Soon  after  her  marriage,  Josephine  accompanied 
her  husband  to  France,  where  they  arrived  in  1779. 
At  this  period,  Beauharnais,  though  many  years  older 
than  his  wife,  was  still  only  in  the  bloom  of  manhood, 
and  the  youthful  pair  are  said  to  have  created  a  sen- 
sation in  the  circles  of  the  capital.  Certain  it  is, 
the  manners  and  accomplishments  of  Josephine  were 
admired  in  a  court  the  gayest  and  most  polished  in 
Europe ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  character  and 
attentions  of  Marie  Antoinette  appear  to  have  made 
on  the  grateful  heart  of  the  fair  Creole  an  impres- 
sion which  subsisted  through  a  life  whose  successive 
incidents  were  in  apparent  hostility  to  the  royal  cause. 
C 


26  MEMOIRS    OF 

The  succeeding  summers  were  passed  in  provincial 
tours,  chiefly  in  the  north,  or  on  the  patrimonial 
estates  in  Brittany.  Here,  on  the  3d  of  September, 
1780,  Josephine  gave  birth  to  her  only  son  Eugene, 
afterward  the  celebrated  viceroy  of  Italy ;  and  in 
1783  the  family  was  completed  by  the  birth  of  a 
daughter,  Hortense,  subsequently  queen  of  Hol- 
land. 

Thus  every  thing  promised  happiness  :  Beauhar- 
nais,  to  energy  and  nobleness  of  character,  united 
many  generous  and  some  amiable  virtues ;  while 
Josephine,  with  a  constitutional  tenderness  of  nature 
which,  in  her  beautiful  language,  "  rendered  the 
desire  of  being  beloved,  and  of  loving  in  return,  a 
necessity  of  her  heart,"  evinced  the  most  devoted 
attachment.  Her  conduct,  too,  had  been  such  as 
merited  not  only  the  continued  but  increased  love 
of  her  husband.  Her  gentleness  and  propriety  of 
demeanour  had  won  over  all  his  relations,  healing  up 
every  domestic  breach;  while  her  talents,  accom- 
plishments, and  graces  abroad  had  taught  the  gay 
world  to  respect  his  choice.  Beauharnais,  too,  had 
loved  his  wife  ardently,  but,  unhappily,  his  notions 
of  conjugal  fidelity  were  formed  too  much  after  the 
fashion  of  vice  in  high  places,  which  had,  for  the 
two  preceding  reigns,  cast  a  moral  pestilence  over 
the  uppermost  ranks  in  France ;  and,  though  the 
consequences  finally  struck  a  king,  in  his  own  ex- 
ample blameless,  they  operated  as  a  main  cause  in 
rousing  the  indignation  of  a  people  to  put  away  the 
degradation  of  a  worthless  and  profligate  aristocracy. 
It  is  more  than  probable,  also,  that  the  new  ideas  had 
not  improved  the  old  morality, — a  surmise  which 
needs  no  proof  to  those  acquainted  with  the  history 
of  the  Revolution.  Madame  de  Beauharnais  en- 
dured her  wrongs  for  some  time  in  patient  forbear- 
ance, or  remonstrated  only  with  gentleness ;  but 
seeing  that  her  husband  attached  himself  more  and 
more  to  another,  she  infused  a  bitterness  into  her 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  27 

reproaches,  which  ended  in  estranging  the  affections 
she  had  hoped  to  reclaim.  Each  persisted:  the 
vicomte  openly  cohabited  with  the  woman  who  had 
ruined  his  domestic  peace,  and  a  separation  was  the 
consequence.  This  appears  to  have  been  effected 
by  a  personal  agreement,  not  a  legal  process,  and 
Josephine,  with  her  children,  returned  to  Martinico. 
When  future  misfortune  had  taught  Beauharnais  to 
reflect,  with  the  proper  dispositions,  on  this  portion 
of  his  life,  he  bitterly  regretted  his  own  errors,  and 
the  absence  of  his  excellent  brother,  who,  though 
opposed  to  him  in  almost  every  principle  of  conduct, 
exercised  great  influence  over  his  affections.  It  is 
likewise  possible,  that  had  the  marquis  been  present, 
Josephine  might  have  used  more  conciliatoryjneans ; 
for,  at  every  period  of  life,  jealousy  appears  to  have 
held  great  sway  over  her  mind — a  failing,  perhaps, 
in  some  degree  inseparable  from  an  affectionate  tem- 
perament. 

Over  the  whole  of  these  transactions,  however,  a 
veil  has  been  drawn  which  it  is  now  difficult  to  re- 
move. The  only  person  who  could  have  cleared 
away  the  obscurity  was  desirous  of  consigning  to 
more  perfect  oblivion  whatever  might  have  reflected 
on  the  memory  of  a  husband  deserving,  in  other 
respects,  of  her  affection ;  of  whose  talents  and  repu- 
tation she  was  justly  proud,  and  whose  name  she 
shows  herself  solicitous  in  teaching  her  children  to 
reverence  with  peculiar  veneration.  "  Honour  my 
memo..y,"  thus  wrote  she  to  Eugene  and  Hortense, 
under  the  apprehension  of  approaching  death, — "  hon- 
our my  memory  by  cherishing  my  sentiments.  I 
leave  you,  as  an  inheritance,  the  glory  of  your 
father  and  the  name  of  your  mother,  whom  some 
unfortunate  beings  will  bear  in  remembrance  ;  your 
father,  whom  I  can  praise  with  transport,  engaged 
in  the  cause  for  which  he  perished  on  the  scaffold 
with  the  best  intentions,  sincerely  believing  that  he 
should  achieve  the  conquest  of  liberty  by  obtaining 


28  MEMOIRS    OF 

some  concessions  from  a  king  whom  he  venerated 
and  loved." 

After  an  absence  of  several  years,  as  is  evident 
from  the  following  simple  and  affecting  narrative, 
Josephine  returned  alone  to  France,  and  in  circum- 
stances far  otherwise  than  affluent.  The  recital 
was  given  to  the  ladies  of  her  court  at  Navarre,  to 
whom,  at  their  own  request,  she  had  one  day  shown 
her  jewels, — the  most  magnificent  collection,  be  it 
remembered,  in  Europe.  Observing  the  admiration 
bestowed  upon  "  these  dazzling  inutilities,"  she  ad- 
dressed the  junior  members  of  her  suite  as  follows . 
— "  Believe  me,  my  young  friends,  that  splendour  is 
not  to  be  envied  which  does  not  constitute  happiness. 
I  shall  doubtless  very  much  surprise  you,  by  saying 
that  the  gift  of  a  pair  of  old  shoes  afforded  me  at 
one  time  greater  satisfaction  than  all  these  dia- 
monds now  before  you  ever  did."  Here  her  youth- 
ful auditors  could  hardly  refrain  from  visibly  inti- 
mating their  conjecture  that  this  remark  was  in- 
tended as  a  pleasantry.  Josephine's  serious  air  as- 
suring them  of  their  mistake,  they  began,  with  one 
accord,  to  express  their  respectful  desire  of  hearing 
the  history  of  these  famous  shoes,  which,  to  their 
imaginations,  already  promised  greater  wonders 
than  the  marvels  of  the  glass-slipper. 

"  Yes,  ladies,"  resumed  their  amiable  mistress ; 
"  it  is  certain,  that  of  all  the  presents  I  ever  in  my 
life  received,  the  one  which  gave  me  the  greatest 
pleasure  was  a  pair  of  old  shoes — and  these,  ioo^  of 
coarse  leather  I  This  you  will  understand  in  the 
sequel. 

"  Quitting  Martinico,  I  had  taken '  a  passage  on 
board  a  ship,  where  we  were  treated  with  an  atten- 
tion which  I  shall  never  forget.*  Having  separated 
from  my  first  husband,  I  was  far  from  rich.  Obliged 
to  return  to  France  on  family  affairs,  the  passage 
had  absorbed  the  major  part  of  my  resources ;  and, 

*  This  vessel,  as  will  afterward  appear,  was- the  Pomona  frigate. 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  29 

indeed,  not  without  much  difficulty  had  I  been  able 
to  provide  the  most  indispensable  requisites  for  our 
voyage.  Hortense,  obliging  and  lively,  performing 
with  much  agility  the  dances  of  the  negroes,  and 
singing  their  songs  with  surprising  correctness, 
greatly  amused  the  sailors,  who,  from  beirTg  her  con- 
stant playfellows,  had  become  her  favourite  society. 
No  sooner  did  she  observe  me  to  be  engaged,  than, 
mounting  upon  deck,  and  there  the  object  of  general 
admiration,  she  repeated  all  her  little  exercises  to 
the  satisfaction  of  every  one.  An  old  quarter-mas- 
ter was  particularly  attached  to  the  child;  and 
whenever  his  duties  permitted  him  a  moment's 
leisure,  he  devoted  the  interval  to  his  young  friend, 
who,  in  turn,  doted  upon  the  old  man.  What  with 
running,  leaping,  and  dancing,  my  daughter's  slight 
shoes  were  fairly  worn  out.  Knowing  she  had  not 
another  pair,  and  fearing  I  would  forbid  her  going 
upon  deck  should  this  defect  in  her  attire  be  discov- 
ered, Hortense  carefully  concealed  the  disaster,  and 
one  day  I  experienced  the  distress  of  beholding  her 
return,  leaving  every  footmark  in  blood.  Fearing 
some  terrible  accident,  I  asked,  in  affright,  if  she 
was  hurt.  '  No,  mamma !' — '  But  see,  the  blood  is 
streaming  from  your  feet.' — '  It  is  nothing,  I  assure 
you.'  Upon  examining  how  matters  stood,  I  founc 
the  shoes  literally  in  tatters,  and  her  feet  dreadful!} 
torn  by  a  nail.  We  were  not  yet  more  than  half- 
way ;  and  before  reaching  France  it  seemed  impos- 
sible to  procure  another  pair  of  shoes.  I  felt  quite 
overcome  at  the  idea  of  the  sorrow  my  poor  Hor- 
tense would  suffer,  as  also  at  the  danger  to  which 
her  health  might  be  exposed,  by  confinement  in  my 
miserable  little  cabin.  We  began  to  weep  bitterly, 
and  found  no  solace  in  our  grief.  At  this  moment 
entered  our  good  friend  the  quarter-master,  and, 
with  honest  bluntness,  inquired  the  cause  of  our  tears. 
Hortense,  sobbing  all  the  while,  eagerly  informed 
him  that  she  would  no  more  get  upon  deck,  for  her 


30  MEMOIRS    OF 

x 

shoes  were  worn  out,  and  mamma  had  no  others  to 
give  her.  *  Nonsense,"  said  the  worthy  seaman; 
'  is  that  all "?  I  have  an  old  pair  somewhere  in  my 
chest :  I  will  go  and  seek  them.  You,  madam,  can 
cut  them  to  the  shape,  and  I'll  splice  them  up  again 
as  well  as  need  be.  Shiver  my  timbers  !  on  board 
ship  you  must  put  up  with  many  things;  we  are 
neither  landsmen  nor  fops,  provided  we  have  the 
necessary — tliafs  the  most  principal.'1  Without  giving 
time  for  a  reply,  away  hastened  the  kind  quarter- 
master in  search  of  his  old  shoes.  These  he  soon 
after  brought  to  us  with  a  triumphant  air,  and  they 
were  received  by  Hortense  with  demonstrations  of 
the  most  lively  joy.  To  work  we  set  with  all  zeal, 
and  before  day  closed  my  daughter  could  resume 
her  delightful  duties  of  supplying  their  evening's 
diversion  to  the  crew.  I  again  repeat,  never  was 
present  accepted  with  greater  thankfulness.  It  has 
since  often  been  matter  of  self-reproach  that  I  did 
not  particularly  inquire  into  the  name  and  history 
of  our  benefactor,  who  was  known  on  board  only 
as  Jacques.  It  would  have  been  gratifying  to  me 
to  have  done  something  for  him  when,  afterward 
means  were  in  my  power." 

Such  was  the  state  of  destitution  in  which  the 
future  empress  reached,  for  the  last  time,  the  terri- 
tory of  France.  Meanwhile,  the  commotion  which 
overwhelmed  that  country,  and  shook  European 
policy  to  the  centre,  had  begun  to  be  felt.  This 
had,  in  fact,  operated  as  a  cause  of  Josephine's 
return.  From  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution, 
De  Beauharnais  had  espoused  its  principles.  In  a 
woman's  heart,  as  is  well  remarked  by  a  female 
writer  on  this  very  subject,  when  old  affection  is 
once  more  awakened  by  the  danger  of  its  object, 
there  is  no  longer  room  for  past  resentment.  Jose- 
phine, knowing  the  warmth  of  her  husband's  politi- 
cal feelings,  and  trembling  for  his  safety,  anxiously 
hastened  to  be  near  and  reconciled  to  him, — a  reso- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  31 

lution  in  which  she  was  encouraged  by  her  excel- 
lent relative.  The  intercession  of  friends  at  home 
was  hardly  required  to  bring  the  vicomte  to  a  sense 
of  his  duty, — for  his  was  not  the  dissipation  of  a  de- 
praved heart;  and  this  new  proof  of  attachment, 
under  such  circumstances,  called  forth  all  his  for- 
mer love  and  admiration.  So  perfect  was  the  recon- 
ciliation on  the  part  of  Madame  de  Beauharnais, 
that  she  even  became  the  protector  of  her  husband's 
natural  daughter  Adele,  whom  subsequently,  under 
the  empire,  she  settled  advantageously  in  marriage. 
Revolutionary  principles — or,  perhaps,  more  prop- 
erly, principles  of  reform,  which,  as  France  then 
stood*  could  not  be  effected  without  revolution — 
may  be  said  to  have  been  in  operation  in  that  king- 
dom from  the  issue  of  the  American  contest  in  1782. 
The  example  of  the  United  States,  the  views  and 
discourses  of  the  officers  who  had  served  in  the 
transatlantic  warfare,  spread  throughout  France  the 
flame  of  republicanism.  Financial  distress  con- 
spired with  these  causes  to  fire  this  public  ferment 
into  a  dangerous  discontent,  to  which  the  govern- 
ment and  privileged  orders  wanted  ability  to -offer 
effectual  opposition,  or  magnanimity  to  yield  a  just 
concession.  The  first  overt  acts  of  popular  senti- 
ment broke  out  in  the  recusancy  of  the  Notables,  in 
1787.  backed  by  that  of  the  parliament  of  the  year 
following.  The  grand  struggle,  however,  between 
right  and  prerogative  may  be  said  to  have  fiercely 
closed  with  the  assembling  of  the  States  General, 
in  May,  1789.  How  far  De  Beauharnais  had  taken 
part  in  the  previous  contests  does  not  appear ;  but 
in  the  "  Constitutional  Assembly,"  as  it  was  after- 
ward named,  by  way  of  pre-eminence,  he  took  his  seat 
among  the  270  upper  deputies,  as  representative 
for  the  nobles  of  Blois.  On  the  commencement  of 
proceedings,  when  the  representatives  of  the  third 
estate  constituted  themselves  the  National  Assem- 
bly, and  invited  those  of  th  clergy  and  nobles  to 


32  MEMOIRS    OF 

join  them,  De  Beauharnais  was  one  of  the  minority 
among  the  latter  who,  with  the  Duke  of  Orleans  at 
their  head,  set  the  example  of  uniting  themselves  to 
the  commons.  In  this,  however,  he  neither  followed 
exclusively  his  own  principles,  apart  from  the  senti- 
ments of  his  constituents,  nor  did  he  go  all  the 
lengths  of  the  party  with  whom  he  acted.  It  is 
well  known  that  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
deputies  of  the  noblesse  were  far  from  supporting  the 
exclusive  principles  of  the  order,  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, had  been  instructed  to  act  otherwise.  Those 
of  that  body  who  thought  at  all  perceived  that  their 
exclusive  privileges  and  feudal  restrictions,  by  throw- 
ing the  members  of  the  aristocracy  out  of  the  cur- 
rent of  national  improvement,  had  cast  them  behind 
both  in  wealth  and  intelligence.  At  the  same  time, 
in  seeking  a  degree  of  reform  in  their  own  order,  in 
desiring  an  equalization  of  privileges  throughout 
the  three  estates,  and  in  wishing  to  restrain  or 
modify  the  royal  prerogative,  the  moderate  nobility 
were  far  from  advocating  any  wild  doctrines  of  de- 
mocracy or  equality.  Of  this  class  Josephine's 
husband  seems  to  have  been  a  faithful  representa- 
tive, with  perhaps  a  dash  of  republicanism  in  his 
views.  All  his  actions  prove,  that,  like  many 
others,  the  opening  prospects  of  the  Revolution  had 
seduced  him  by  the  seeming  good  and  fair  which 
they  presented,  until  he  found  himself  too  deeply 
engaged  to  letreat;  induced,  besides,  as  he  was,  to 
continue  at  the  post  assigned,  in  the  hope  of  finally 
securing  the  welfare  of  the  country.  Such  is  the 
view  which  Josephine  herself  entertained,  and  has 
given,  of  his  political  character. 

The  labours  of  the  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais  in 
this  first  assembly  consisted  of  reports  and  speeches. 
These  must  have  possessed  merit  to  have  been 
remembered,  and,  what  was  then  rarer  still,  modera- 
tion, since  they  were  afterward  turned  against  him 
on  his  own  trial, under  Robespierre.  On  the  dis- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  33 

solution  of  the  Constitutional  Assembly,  or  States 
General,  September,  20, 1791,  of  which,  by  an  unfor- 
tunate resolution, — "  too  simply  honest," — none  of 
the  members  were  immediately  re-eligible,  the  vi- 
comte  resumed  his  original  profession  of  arms,  and 
was  one  of  those  who  held  an  anxious  eye  upon  the 
king,  labouring  to  secure,  at  least,  his  personal 
safety.  Accordingly,  he  was  among  those  officers 
who,  after  the  fatal  10th  of  August,  1792,  stood  by 
Lafayette,  to  whom  he  had  been  known,  and,  if  we 
mistake  not,  had  been  his  comrade,  in  the  American 
campaigns. 

On  the  dissolution  (September  20th,  1792)  of  the 
Legislative  Assembly,  as  the  second  revolutionary 
meeting  of  national  representatives  is  termed,  Beau- 
harnais  became  a  member  of  the  third,  or  National 
Convention.  Of  this  body  we  find,  from  the  Moni- 
teur  of  the  time,  that  he  was  twice  president.  Du- 
ring the  early  part  of  the  session,  he  appears  to  have 
shared  actively  in  its  discussions ;  and  though  little 
precise  information  has  been  preserved  respecting 
his  views,  they  appear,  as  formerly,  to  have  been 
moderately  republican,  and  in  unison  with  the  politics 
of  the  Girondists.  On  the  trial  and  subsequent  con- 
demnation of  the  king,  the  voice  of  Beauharnais 
was  consequently  raised  in  favour  of  humanity, 
however  hostile  his  proceedings  might  be  to  royalty, 
which  one  of  the  first  acts  of  this  assembly  abolished 
by  acclamatioi .  It  forms  too  faithful  a  picture  of 
these  fearful  times,  when  the  division  of  relative 
against  relative,  denounced  by  Scripture,  was  actu- 
ally realized  in  France,  to  excite  surprise  that  two 
brothers  had  espoused  opposite  sides.  But  it  strikes 
as  a  remarkable  coincidence  in  our  present  subject, 
to  find  Alexander  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais,  Jose- 
phine's husband,  president  of  the  Convention,  and 
her  brother-in-law,  Francis  Marquis  de  Beauharnais, 
a  major-general  in  the  army  of  Cond6,  petitioning 
to  be  permitted  to  plead  the  cause  of  Louis  XVI. 


3<  MEMOIRS    OF 

\  ifoio  the  bar  of  the  same  assembly.  On  the  con- 
vocation of  the  States  General,  the  marquis  had 
been  elected  a  member  in  the  honourable  situation 
of  deputy  from  the  nobles  of  Paris ;  he  had  subse- 
quently emigrated,  and  it  was  from  the  camp  of 
Conde  on  the  Rhine  that  he  addressed  his  letter, 
demanding  to  be  heard  for  the  king,  in  terms  of  the 
decree  of  the  Convention,  which  granted  that  right 
to  any  Frenchman  who  might  be  honoured  with  the 
duty.  It  is  well  known,  that  of  the  very  few  mag- 
nanimous men  willing  to  devote  themselves  to  this 
perilous  office,  MM.  Deseze,  Tronchet,  and  Male- 
sherbes  were  chosen  by  the  king, — a  circumstance 
which  lessens  not  the  merit  of  De  Beauharnais's 
generous  devotion.  An  autograph  copy  of  the 
letter  was  most  religiously  preserved  by  Josephine, 
who,  throughout  her  whole  life,  continued  to  cherish 
an  affectionate  regard  for  the  writer.  From  the 
empress's  copy,  as  published  by  Madame  Duerest, 
to  whom  the  original  was  confided,  the  following 
translation  is  here  inserted  as  an  interesting  docu- 
ment of  the  times,  and  intimately  connected  with 
the  subject  of  these  Memoirs  : — 

To  the  President  of  the  National  Convention. 

"  SIR, — I  learn,  with  Europe,  astonished  at  the 
unheard-of  crime,  that  the  sacred  person  of  the 
king  is  to  be  attainted  by  a  criminal  prosecution.  I 
demand  to  be  his  defender — to  plead  the  cause  of  my 
master — of  my  sovereign — of  the  most  virtuous 
man  in  his  kingdom.  Be  pleased  to  intimate  this 
my  wish  to  the  Convention,  and  do  me  the  favour 
to  communicate  the  reply. 

"  I  shall  not  in  this  letter  indicate  my  means  of 
defence.  It  is  not  here  that  I  have  to  demonstrate 
what  is  the  political  right  of  a  people  over  their 
lawful  sovereign,  and  reciprocally  what  is  the  duty 
of  princes  towards  their  subjects.  It  is  less  before 


THK    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  35 

a  factious  and  usurping  assembly,  which  has  arro- 
gated all  power  to  itself,  than  before  the  French 
people,  that  I  shall  proclaim  facts,  proving  to  the 
nation  both  the  crimes  of  those  furious  partisans  of 
a  liberty  destructive  of  all  social  order,  and  the  vir- 
tues of  Louis  XVI., — of  that  unfortunate  monarch, 
formed  to  be  the  object  of  his  subjects'  veneration ; 
of  him  who,  sad  sport  of  faction,  and  guilty,  per- 
haps, of  too  great  goodness,  has  found  himself  by 
turns  persecuted,  betrayed,  and,  at  last,  basely 
abandoned  by  those  whom  he  had  loaded  with  his 
favours. 

"  At  that  public  tribunal  will  I  unveil  the  criminal 
plots  of  those  political  knaves  who  have  seized  ths 
reins  of  government,  and  under  pretext  of  public 
weal  more  effectually  cloak  their  own  ambitious 
designs.  These  grand  criminals  I  will  expose,  and 
unravel  the  tortuous  course  of  a  policy  dangerous 
to  all  governments.  The  National  Convention  may 
judge  how  dearly  I  value  the  signal  distinction  of 
defending  my  king,  since  I  shrink  not  from  confront- 
ing rebels  face  to  face ;  since  I  blush  not  to  beseech 
that  tribunal  of  inquisition  to  concede  to  me  this 
especial  grace. 

"  The  anarchy  into  which  the  Revolution  has 
plunged  my  unhappy  country,  the  crimes  with  which 
it  has  sullied  a  portion  of  the  French  nation,  its 
crimes  towards  the  royal  family,  its  persecutions  of 
the  ministers  of  the  altar,  and,  above  all,  the  desire, 
so  natural  to  every  subject,  of  serving  his  prince, 
and  rescuing  him  from  assassins, — such  are  the 
motives  which  have  removed  me  from  France.  This 
voluntary  devotedness,  which  I  share  with  a  vast 
number  of  my  virtuous  fellow-citizens,  is  a  distinc- 
tion of  which  I  am  proud.  Of  these  my  motives, 
sir,  you  may  inform  the  assembly. 

"  After  opposing,  with  my  utmost  ability,  the  de- 
struction of  the  monarchy,  as  a  member  of  that 
minority  of  the  National  Assembly  with  whom 


36  MEMOIRS    OF 

constantly  to  have  acted  is  to  me  a  subject  of  high 
gratulation,  I  have  rallied  beneath  the  standard  of 
honour  to  die  a  soldier, — having  solemnly  protested 
as  a  citizen  against  that  same  constitution  which 
you  swore  to  maintain,  and  which,  nevertheless,  you 
have  already  superseded  by  your  own  authority. 

"  From  you,  sir,  I  expect  a  straightforward  and 
concise  reply :  cover  at  least,  your  criminal  inten- 
tions under  the  justice  which  I  solicit,  and  which 
every  one  who  is  accused  has  a  right  to  demand. 
If  you  have  forgotten  that  Louis  XVI.  is  a  king,  re- 
member that  he  is  a  man ;  show  your  impartiality  in 
a  cause  which  affects  all  governments — upon  which 
Europe,  in  deep  attention,  suspends  judgment,  and 
whose  every  circumstance  posterity  will  hold  in 
precious  remembrance.  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
"  FRANCIS  MARQUIS  DE  BEAUHARNAIS." 

i 

While  the  brother-in-law  of  Josephine  thus  de- 
voted his  zeal  to  the  royal  cause,  her  husband  con- 
tinued to  sit  as  one  of  the  judges  in  the  proceedings 
which  soon  after  brought  the  king  to  the  block. 
This  execrable  crime  having  roused  to  just  and 
more  energetic  hostility  the  alarmed  humanity  of  all 
Europe,  the  revolutionary  leaders,  from  the  impos- 
sibility of  finding  military  experience  among  their 
own  immediate  order,  were  constrained  to  employ 
in  important  commands  the  few  nobles  who  adhered 
to  the  general  cause  of  the  Revolution.  In  thh 
emergency,  the  German  frontier  was  assigned  tc 
Vicomte  Beauharnais,  a  station,  though  not  so  illus- 
trious in  peril  as  it  afterward  became,  already  one 
of  glory  and  exertion,  and  whose  duties  the  following 
official  despatch  shows  him  to  have  discharged 
neither  as  an  unskilful  nor  inactive  soldier : — 

To  the  National  Convention. 
"  Head-quarters,  Landau,  20th  July,  1793. 
ttl  have  to  inform  you,  citizen-representatives, 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  37 

that  on  the  night  of  the  19th,  I  quitted  the  position 
on  the  heights  of  Menfeld,  in  order  to  take  up  an- 
other nearer  Landau;  and,  at  the  same  time,  to 
attack  the  enemy  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  that 
place.  I  directed  the  army  to  advance  in  six  columns, 
three  of  which  were  destined  for  false  attacks.  The 
principal  object  was  to  obtain  possession  of  the 
passes  of  Anweiller,  and  the  heights  of  Frankweiller, 
in  front  of  these  passes ;  and  upon  which  the  enemy 
lay  strongly  intrenched.  Every  thing  succeeded  to 
my  wish.  General  Arlandes,  with  the  10th  regiment 
of  infantry,  seized  the  pass  of  Anweiller ;  General 
Meynier,  at  the  head  of  the  67th,  occupied  at  the 
same  instant  Alberweiller  and  the  various  defiles 
leading  therefrom ;  the  vanguard,  led  on  by  Generals 
Landremont,  Loubat,  and  Delmas,  repulsed  the 
enemy  with  loss  from  the  heights  of  Frankweiller, 
which  were  guarded  by  the  emigrants  and  the  free 
corps  of  Wurmser. 

"  General  Gilot,  making  a  sortie  with  three  thou- 
sand of  the  brave  garrison  of  Landau,  in  order  to 
occupy  the  enemy's  attention  at  a  point  where  his 
line  rested  upon  a  wood,  proved  successful  in  that 
quarter.  The  false  attacks  directed  by  General  Fer- 
riere,  and  those  of  the  brigades  of  Generals  Lafa- 
relle  and  Mequillet,  on  the  respective  points  of  the 
hostile  line,  occasioned  a  diversion  highly  favourable 
to  the  main  attack,  by  causing  the  evacuation  of  the 
villages  of  Betheim,  Kintelsheim,  and  Ottersheim. 
Everywhere  the  enemies  of  the  republic  have  been 
driven  back  with  loss,  and  have  left,  contrary  to  their 
practice,  the  field  covered  with  their  dead  and 
wounded.  We  made  some  prisoners,  and  have  cap- 
tured several  redoubts,  without  cannon,  it  is  true, 
but  in  which  our  brave  soldiers  found  bread,  great- 
coats, and  supplies  of  various  kinds. 

"  This  action,  so  fortunate  in  its  results,  since  the 
troops  of  the  republic  have  successfully  effected 
what  I  had  proposed,  gives  anticipation  of  still  more 
D 


38  MEMOIRS    OF 

important  advantages.  My  communications  witb 
the  army  of  the  Moselle  have  meanwhile  been  es- 
tablished by  the  country  of  Deuxponts ;  and  the 
courage  of  the  republicans  composing  the  army  of 
the  Rhine  promises  to  become  more  and  more  worthy 
of  national  confidence,  by  fulfilling  those  engage- 
ments which  that  army,  by  its  situation  and  force, 
and  through  the  interests  of  the  important  city  now 
besieged,  had  contracted  with  the  country.  I  am 
yet  unable  to  speak  in  detail  of  those  individual 
achievements  which  merit  the  attention  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people,  and  in  a  free  state  call  for 
an  expression  of  national  gratitude;  but  my  next 
letter  will  contain  the  necessary  particulars. 

"  I  request  you  again  to  accept,  from  all  the  repub- 
licans of  the  army  of  the  Rhine,  the  homage  of 
fidelity  to  the  republic,  one  and  indivisible,  of  their 
attachment  to  the  constitution,  and  of  their  gratitude 
to  the  estimable  legislators  to  whom  that  constitu- 
tion is  owing. 

"The  commander-in-chief  of  the  army  of  the 
Rhine. 

(Signed)  "ALEXANDER  BEAUHARNAIS." 

The  reader  will  not  fail  to  remark  in  this  letter  a 
solicitude  to  bespeak  the  praise  of  republicanism, 
and  in  the  signature  all  absence  of  aristocracy,  even 
to  the  omission  of  the  de,  then  a  very  obnoxious 
monosyllable,  as  (in  the  language  of  the  time)  "  it 
seemed  to  assert  that  a  man  could  have  pretensions 
to  a  grandfather."  The  only  stay  which  Beauhar- 
nais,  and  those  of  his  order,  possessed  among  the 
men  of  the  Revolution — fear  of  their  remaining 
political  power — shortly  after  the  date  of  this  des 
patch  was  completely  removed.  The  arrest  of  the 
Girondist  deputies  of  the  Convention,  on  the  2d 
June,  1793,  and  the  total  destruction  of  that  party 
in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  threw  uncontrolled 
sway  into  the  hands  of  the  Jacobins.  The  reader 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  39 

need  hardly  be  reminded  that  the  party  of  the 
Gironde  numbered  in  its  ranks  those  who,  at  this 
period  of  fearful  profligacy  among  the  estimable 
legislators  of  France,  still  cultivated  the  humanities 
of  a  civilized  people.  All  men  of  respectability, 
some  of  them  enlightened  by  extraordinary  learning 
and  many  highly  gifted  in  genuine  eloquence,  the 
Girondists  attracted  to  their  opinions  the  largest 
share  of  the  intelligence,  and  all  the  moderation,  of 
the  kingdom.  But,  unfortunately,  instead  of  main- 
taining from  the  first  those  rational  views  of  liberty, 
under  a  limited  monarchy,  to  which  they  subse- 
quently inclined,  they  got  among  the  speculative 
impossibilities  of  a  "  pure  republic,"  and  were  thus 
drawn  into  excesses,  in  the  vain  hope  of  educing 
good  from  evil, — pu  *y  from  pollution ;  they  suffered 
thus  to  be  wrenclW  from  their  grasp  by  ruffian 
force  that  practical  influence  through  which  they 
had  held  the  means  of  saving  their  sovereign  and 
themselves.  The  downfall  of  this  party  necessarily 
drew  along  with  it  the  ruin  of  all  those  who  partici- 
pated in  its  principles,  especially  when  its  members 
were  replaced  by  the  Jacobins  of  the  provinces  and 
the  commune  of  Paris, — a  mob  the  least  humane  and 
the  most  cowardly  in  the  annals  of  crime. 

One  of  the  earliest  acts  of  the  democracy  was  to 
exclude  from  the  service  of  the  republic  every  func 
tionary,  whether  civil  or  military,  of  noble  birth. 
Among  the  rest,  Beauharnais,  the  predecessor  of 
Moreau,  and  not  unworthy  of  being  classed  with 
that  general,  Custrine,  Dumouriez,  Hoche,  and 
Houchard,  in  talent,  was  deprived  of  his  command. 
Of  the  officers  thus  dismissed,  most  fled  into  foreign 
parts ;  some  of  less  note,  by  their  very  obscurity, 
afterward  recovered  their  consequence ;  but  no  com- 
mander-in-chief,  except  the  Vicomte  Beauharnais, 
ventured  to  return  to  France.  Dismissal  from  such 
a  station  under  the  circumstances  obviously  ought 
to  have  been  construed  as  a  decree  of  expatriation. 


40  MEMOIRS    *F 

When  warned  on  this  head,  the  latter,  wifii 
picious  honesty,  ill  suited  to  the  times,  replied,  *•  I 
am  a  friend  to  the  republic  ;  what,  then,  can  I  have 
to  fear  from  friends]"  and,  with  imprudent  confi- 
dence, took  up  his  residence  in  the  family  mansion 
at  Paris.  But  Beauharnais,  the  friend  and  soldier  of 
the  republic,  was  speedily  arrested  by  the  satellites 
of  Robespierre,  and  consigned  to  the  prisons  of  the 
Luxembourg.  Of  a  specific  charge  for  such  pro- 
ceeding we  find  not  even  a  shadow,  beyond  the 
crimes  affecting  many  hundreds  under  like  suspicions 
— rank  and  merit.  Nor  hardly  can  the  reader  expect 
any  very  intelligible  ground  of  accusation  in  this 
case,  when  it  is  recollected,  that  barely  to  be  de- 
nounced as  an  aristocrat  converted  the  most  respect- 
able citizen  into  a  criminal :  the  more  respectable, 
in  fact,  the  more  likely  to  be  accused.  Instances 
are  actually  on  record,  where  a  more  decent  dress 
than  the  ruffianism  of  the  republicans  had  intro- 
duced brought  the  wearer  to  the  guillotine.  We 
find,  indeed,  that  when  Beauharnais  had  been  some 
time  in  prison,  an  attempt  was  made  to  implicate 
him  in  a  conspiracy  alleged  to  have  been  entered 
into  by  the  captives  in  the  Luxembourg;  but  for  his 
original  incarceration  no  reason  is  assigned.  But 
if  our  information  is  thus  vague  respecting  the  par- 
ticular offence,  the  letters  of  Josephine  render  us 
minutely  acquainted,  not  only  with  the  circum- 
stances of  the  arrest  and  conduct  of  her  husband, 
but  present  a  graphic  and,  from  its  domestic  nature, 
moving  record  of  that  fatal  period.  These  letters 
were  written  from  Paris  to  Fontainbleau,  and  ad- 
dressed to  Madame  Fanny  Beauharnais,  the  vi- 
comte's  aunt,  who  then  resided  on  a  small  property 
in  the  neighbourhood.  This  lady  acquired  a  celeb- 
rity by  her  writings  and  literary  talents,  which  she 
retained  under  the  empire,  and  in  the  imperial  court 
her  conversational  powers  were  admired  both  for 
^eir  brilliancy  and  solidity,  though  with  more  dis 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  41 

play  than  perhaps  beseemed  the  retirement  of  the 
female  character.  To  her  account,  also,  is  placed 
the  famous  couplet,— 

Egl6  jeune  et  po !  te  a  deux  pettts  travers : 
Elle  fait  son  visage,  et  ne  fait  pas  ses  vers. 

Young,  and  a  poet ;  Egle's  faults,  then,  say?  ' 
Just  two,— she  makes  her  face,  but  steals  her  lay. 

This  satire,  however,  at  least  in  English  prose,  is 
as  old  as  the  age  of  Queen  Anne.  It  is  now  of  small 
moment  to  determine  the  originality  either  of  the 
lady's  beauty  or  of  her  poetry ;  suffice  it,  that  she 
possessed  an  excellent  heart,  and  was  ever  regarded 
by  Josephine  with  the  most  tender  respect. 

Josephine  to  Madame  Fanny  Beauharnais. 

"  Ah,  my  dear  aunt,  compassionate — console — * 
counsel  me.  Alexander  is  arrested;  while  I  write, 
he  is  led  away  to  the  Luxembourg ! 

"  Two  days  ago,  a  man  of  ill-omened  aspect  was 
seen  prowling  around  our  house.  Yesterday,  about 
three  o'clock,  the  porter  was  interrogated  whether 
citizen  Beauharnais  had  returned  from  St.  Germain. 
Now,  you  know,  aunt,  that  my  husband  has  not  been 
at  St.  Germain  since  the  month  of  May.  You  were 
of  the  party,  and  may  recollect  that  Oubieres  read 
to  us  some  verses  on  the  Pavilion  of  Luciennes. 
The  same  inquisitor  reappeared  in  the  evening,  ac- 
companied by  an  old  man  of  huge  stature,  morose, 
and  rude,  who  put  several  questions  to  the  porter. 
'  You  are  sure  it  is  Beauharnais  the  vicomte  V — 
'  Ci-devant  vicomte,'  replied  our  servant. — '  The  same 
who  formerly  presided  in  the  Assembly  V — 1 1  believe 
so.' — '  And  who  is  a  general  officer  V — *  The  same, 
sir,'  said  the  porter.—'  Sir !'  sharply  interrupted  the 
inquirer,  and  addressing  his  companion,  who  had 
said  nothing, '  you  see  the  cask  always  smells  of  the 
herring.'  Upon  this  they  disappeared. 
Dfl 


42  MEMOIRS    OP 

•'  To-day,  about  eight  in  the  morning,  I  was  told 
some  one  wished*  to  speak  with  me.  This  was  a 
young  man,  of  a  gentle  and  decent  appearance :  he 
carried  a  leather  bag  in  which  were  several  pairs 
of  shoes.  '  Citizen,'  said  the  man  to  me, '  I  under- 
stand you  want  socks  of  plum-gray  V  I  looked  at 
my  woman,  Victorine,  who  was  present,  but  she 
comprehended  as  little  of  this  question  as  I  did. 
The  young  man  seemed  painfully  disconcerted ;  he 
kept  turning  a  shoe  in  his  hand,  and  fixed  upon  me 
a  mournful  look.  At  length,  approaching  close,  he 
said,  in  an  under  tone,  *  I  have  something  to  impart 
to  you,  madam.'  His  voice,  his  looks,  and  a  sigh 
which  half-escaped  him  caused  me  some  emotion. 

*  Explain  yourself,'  I  replied  eagerly ;  '  my  servant 
is  faithful.' — '  Ah !'  exclaimed  he,  as  if  involuntarily, 

*  my  life  is  at  stake  in  this  matter.'    I  arose  instantly, 
and  dismissed  Victorine  with  a  message  to  call  my 
husband. 

"  '  Madam,'  said  the  young  tradesman,  when  we 
were  alone, '  there  is  not  a  moment  to  lose,  if  you 
would  save  M.  de  Beauharnais.  The  revolutionary 
committee,  last  night,  passed  a  resolution  to  have 
him  arrested,  and  at  this  very  moment  the  warrant 
is  making  out.'  I  felt  as  if  ready  to  swoon  away. 
'  How  know  you  this  V  demanded  I,  trembling  vio- 
lently.—' I  am  one  of  the  committee,'  said  he,  cast- 
ing down  his  eyes  ; '  and  being  a  shoemaker,  I  thought ' 
these  shoes  would  afford  me  a  reasonable  pretext 
for  advertising  you,  madam.'  I  could  have  embraced 
the  good  young  man.  He  perceived  that  I  wept, 
and  I  believe  tears  stood  in  his  own  eyes.  At  this 
moment  Alexander  entered :  I  threw  myself  into  his 
arms.  *  You  see  my  husband,'  said  I  to  the  shoe- 
maker.— '  I  have  the  honour  of  knowing  him,'  was 
the  reply. 

"  Your  nephew,  learning  the  service  which  we 
had  received,  wished  to  reward  him  on  the  spot. 
This  offer  was  declined  in  a  manner  which  augmented 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  43 

our  esteem.  Alexander  held  out  his  hand,  which 
the  young  man  took  with  respect,  but  without  em- 
barrassment. Spite  of  our  solicitations,  Alexander 
refused  to  flee.  '  With  what  can  they  charge  me  V 
asked  he ;  'I  love  liberty ;  I  have  borne  arms  for 
the  Revolution;  and  had  that  depended  upon  me, 
the  termination  would  have  been  in  favour  of  the 
people.' — '  But  you  are  a  noble,'  answered  the  young 
man, '  and  that  is  a  crime  in  the  eyes  of  revolution- 
ists,— rit  is  an  irreparable  misfortune.' — '  Which  they 
can  charge  as  a  crime,'  added  I;  'and  moreover, 
they  accuse,  you  of  having  been  one  in  the  Consti- 
tutional Assembly.' — '  My  friend,'  replied  Alexander, 
with  a  noble  expression,  and  firm  tone, '  such  is  my 
most  honourable  title  to  glory—the  only  claim,  in 
fine,  which  I  prefer.  Who  would  not  be  proud  of 
having  proclaimed  the  rights  of  the  nation,  the  fall 
of  despotism,  and  the  reign  of  the  laws  V — '  What 
laws  !'  exclaimed  I :  '  it  is  in  blood  they  are  written. 
— '  Madam,'  said  the  young  man,  with  an  accent  such 
as  he  had  not  yet  employed, '  when  the  tree  of  liberty 
is  planted  in  an  unfriendly  soil,  it  must  be  watered 
with  the  blood  of  its  enemies.'  Beauharnais  and  I 
looked  at  each  other ;  in  the  young  man,  whom  na- 
ture had  constituted  with  so  much  feeling,  we  recog- 
nised the  revolutionist  whom  the  new  principles  had 
been  able  to  render  cruel. 

"  Meanwhile,  time  elapsed ;  he  took  leave  of  us, 
repeating  to  my  husband, '  Within  an  hour  it  will  no 
longer  be  possible  to  withdraw  yourself  from  search. 
I  wished  to  save,  because  I  believe  you  innocent : 
such  was  my  duty  to  humanity ;  but  if  I  am  com- 
manded to  arrest  you, — pardon  me ;  I  shall  do  my 
duty,  and  you  will  acknowledge  the  patriot.  In  you 
I  have  ever  beheld  an  honourable  man — a  noble  and 
generous  heart ;  it  is  impossible,  therefore,  that  you 
should  not  also  be  a  good  citizen.' 

"  When  our  visiter  had  departed, '  Such,'  said  Alex- 
ander to  me,  '  are  the  prejudices  with  which  our 


44  MEMOIRS    OF 

youth  are  poisoned.  The  blood  of  the  nobles,  of 
those  even  the  most  devoted  to  the  new  ideas,  must 
nourish  liberty.  If  these  new  men  of  the  Revolu- 
tion were  only  cruel  and  turbulent,  this  sanguinary 
thirst,  this  despotic  rage,  would  pass  away ;  but  they 
are  systematic,  and  Robespierre  has  reduced  revolu- 
tionary action  into  a  doctrine.  The  movement  will 
cease  only  when  its  enemies,  real  or  presumed,  are 
annihilated,  or  when  its  author  shall  be  no  more. 
But  this  is  an  ordeal  which  must,  in  the  end, 
strengthen  liberty ;  she  will  ferment  and  work  her- 
self clear  in  blood.' — '  You  make  me  shudder,'  said 
I  to  Alexander ;  *  can  you  speak  thus  and  not  flee  ?' 
— >'  Whither  flee  V  answered  my  husband ;  *  is  there 
a  vault,  a  garret,  a  hiding-place  into  which  the  eye 
of  the  tyrant  does  not  penetrate  ?  do  you  reflect  that 
he  sees  with  the  eyes  of  forty  thousand  committees 
animated  by  like  dispositions,  and  strong  in  his  will? 
The  torrent  rolls  along,  and  the  people,  throwing 
themselves  into  it,  augment  its  force.  We  must 
yield  :  if  I  be  condemned,  how  escape  1  if  I  be  not, 
free  or  in  prison,  I  have  nothing  to  fear.'  My  tears, 
my  entreaties  were  vain.  At  a  quarter  before  twelve 
three  members  of  the  revolutionary  committee  made 
their  appearance,  and  our  house  was  filled  with  armed 
men. 

"  Think  you  my  young  cordwainer  formed  one  in 
this  band  ]  You  are  not  deceived,  and  his  functions 
there  were  painful  to  me.  I  confess,  however,  that 
I  beheld  him  exercise  these  with  a  sort  of  satisfac- 
tion. He  it  was  who  signified  to  Alexander  the  order 
placing  him  under  arrest,  which  he  did  with  equal 
urbanity  and  firmness.  In  the  midst  of  a  crisis  so 
grievous  to  me,  I  could  not  help  observing  in  this 
young  man  a  tone  of  authority  and  of  decency  which 
placed  him  in  striking  contrast  with  his  two  col- 
leagues. One  of  these,  the  same  old  inquisitor  who 
the  night  previously  had  made  it  his  business  to  in- 
quire concerning  the  presence  and  occupations  of 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  45  ^ 

my  husband,  was  once  a  planter  in  Martinico,  and 
who,  despite  of  equality,  has  never  beheld  in  the 
human  species  but  two  classes, — masters  and  slaves. 
His  present  opinion  is,  that  the  Revolution  will  be 
brought  to  a  happy  conclusion  only  when  its  agents 
shall  have  reduced  all  its  enemies  to  the  condition 
of  the  negroes  of  Senegal  when  exported  into  Amer- 
ica ;  and  to  accomplish  this  end,  he  demands  that 
the  whole  race  of  priests,  nobles,  proprietors,  phi- 
losophers, and,  in  short,  all  the  aristocratic  classes, 
be  despatched  to  St.  Domingo,  there  to  replace  the 
caste  of  the  blacks,  suppressed  by  the  Revolution. 
'  Thus,'  added  the  ferocious  wretch,  addressing  his 
words  to  me  with  a  sinister  glance  directed  from 
his  sunken  eyes,  *  thus  the  true  republicans  secure 
the  grand  moral  triumph,  by  measures  of  profound 
and  elevated  policy !'  His  third  compeer,  vulgar  and 
brutal,  busied  himself  in  taking,  in  a  blustering  way, 
an  inventory  of  the  principal  pieces  of  furniture 
and  papers.  From  these  latter  he  made  a  selection, 
collecting  the  pieces  into  a  parcel,  which  was  sealed 
and  forwarded  to  the  committee.  The  choice  chiefly 
included  reports  and  discourses  pronounced  by  Alex- 
ander in  the  Constitutional  Assembly.  This  meeting, 
held  in  horror  by  the  revolutionists,  is  not  less  odious 
to  the  aristocrats  of  all  classes  and  shades.  Does 
not  this  prove  that  that  assembly  had  resolved  all 
the  problems  of  the  Revolution,  and,  as  respects 
liberty,  had  founded  all  the  necessary  establish 
ments?  From  the  regime  of  1789  it  had  taken 
away  all  means;  from  that  of  1793  it  removed  all 
hope.  Alexander  has  often  repeated  to  me,  that  to 
neither  there  remained  any  chance  of  rising,  save 
by  violence  and  crime.  Ah !  why  did  he  foresee  so 
justly,  and  why  would  he,  to  the  title  of  a  prophet, 
perhaps  add  that  of  a  martyr  ?" 

In  her  distress,  Josephine  appears,  from  the  fol- 
lowing note,  to  have  experienced  the  usual  hollow- 


46  MEMOIRS    OF 

ness  of  "summer  friends."  The  letter  from  her 
husband  is  exceedingly  descriptive  of  the  unaccount- 
able recklessness  into  which  the  times  had  converted 
the  national  buoyancy  of  temper, — a  feature,  both 
in  the  oppressors  and  the  victims,  singularly  charac- 
teristic of  the  Revolution. 

Josephine  to  Madame  Fanny  de  Beauharnais. 

"  Why  do  the  kind  proceedings  of  your  friends, 
and  your  own  bad  health,  detain  you  in  the  country  ? 
Dear  aunt,  I  miss  you  much.  Think  of  my  house 
solitary,  myself  more  solitary — more  forsaken  still. 
In  the  course  of  the  five  days  since  he  was  taken 
from  me,  all  his  friends  have  disappeared,  one  by  one. 
At  this  moment  when  I  sit  down  to  write,  it  is  six 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  nobody  has  come  here. 
Nobody?  I  am  wrong:  my  excellent  young  man 
does  not  stand  aloof;  he  comes  twice  or  thrice  in 
the  day  with  news  from  the  Luxembourg.  Provided 
his  duty  be  not  compromised,  he  cares  little  about 
exposing  his  person;  the  pestilence  of  misfortune 
does  not  keep  him  at  a  distance.  Alexander  confides 
to  him  those  letters  which  he  desires  I  only  should 
read;  his  jailers,  the  committee,  have  the  first  pe- 
rusal of  the  others.  Enclosed  I  send  you  a  copy 
of  one ; — the  original  shall  repose  all  my  life  nearest 
my  heart,  and  be  buried  with  me." 

Vicomte  de  Beauharnais,  to  Josephine. 

"  So !  pauvre  petite,  you  are  still  unreasonable,  and 
I  must  needs  console  you  ?  That,  however,  I  can 
easily  do;  for  even  here  is  the  abode  of  peace  when 
the  conscience  is  tranquil,  and  where  one  can  culti- 
vate for  one's  self  and  others  all  the  benevolent  sen- 
timents of  the  heart,  all  the  best  qualities  of  the 
spirit,  all  the  gentle  affections  of  our  nature.  I 
should  be  troubled  at  our  sacaration,  were  it  to  be 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  47 

long;  but  I  am  a  soldier;  and  at  a  distance  from 
you,  my  sweet  Josephine,  removed  from  our  dear 
children,  I  bethink  myself  of  war ;  in  truth,  a  slight 
misadventure  is  a  campaign  against  misfortune.  Ah ! 
if  you  knew  how  we  learn  to  combat  our  mischance 
here,  you  would  blush  for  having  been  afflicted.- 
Every  captive — now  this  is  literally  the  case — leaves 
his  sorrows  at  the  grated  entrance,  and  shows  within 
only  good-humour  and  serenity.  We  have  trans- 
ported to  the  Luxembourg  the  entire  of  society,  ex- 
cepting politics ;  thus,  you  will  grant  me  that  we 
have  left  the  thorns  in  order  to  gather  the  roses. 
We  have  here  charming  women,  who  are  neither 
prudes  nor  coquettes ;  old  men,  who  neither  carp 
nor  moralize,  and  who  demean  themselves  kindly ; 
men  of  mature  age,  who  are  not  projectors ;  young 
men,  almost  reasonable ;  and  artists,  well  bred,  soberr 
without  pride,  amuse  us  by  a  number  of  pleasant 
facts,  and  entertaining  anecdotes;  and,  what  will 
astonish  you  more  than  all  the  rest,  we  have  moneyed 
men,  become  as  polite  and  obliging  as  they  were 
generally  vulgar  and  impertinent.  We  have  here, 
then,  all  that  is  best,  always  excepting  my  Jose- 
phine aad  our  dear  children.  Oh !  the  choice — the 
good — the  best,  compose  that  cherished  trio.  I 
ought  likewise  to  except  our  good  friend  Nevil ;  the 
only  fault  in  him  is  his  notion  of  relationship  to 
Brutus.  As  to  his  title  of  committee-man,  I  have 
no  reproach  to  make  on  that  score ;  I  find  it  too 
much  in  my  favour.  He  is  the  messenger,  my  be- 
loved friend,  who  will  convey  to  you  this  letter,  in 
which  I  enclose  one  thousand  kisses,  until  such 
time  as  I  shall  be  able  more  substantially  to  deliver 
them  myself,  and  without  counting." 

This  letter  is  pleasing  in  itself,  as  expressive  of 
real  affection.  But  the  scenes  which  it  describes  as 
passing  in  a  prison,  whence  was  taken  a  daily  por- 
tion of  the  sixty  or  eighty  victims,  immolated,  for  a 


48  MEMOIRS    OF 

length  of  time,  to  the  indiscriminate  fears  or  insa- 
tiable cruelty  of  Robespierre,  might  seem  fabricated, 
or  well  intended  misrepresentations,  to  sooth  the 
anxiety  of  friends  without,  did  not  the  narrative  in 
itself  supply  but  an  additional  evidence  of  a  fact  al- 
ready established.  During  this  Reign  of  Terror,  the 
prisoners  usually  heard  their  sentence  amid  pastime 
and  laughter,  which  they  interrupted  only  till  their 
own,  or  the  names  of  their  associates,  had  been 
called  over  in  the  executioner's  roll,  again  to  com- 
mence their  hideous  and  reckless  levities.  This  was 
then  mistaken  for,  and  is  even  still  dignified  as,  cour- 
age. With  equal  justice  might  we  elevate  into  forti- 
tude the  brutish  insensibility  of  those  poor  wretches, 
who,  when  their  ship  has  struck,  seek,  in  mad 
plunder  and  intoxication,  to  lose  the  sense  of  that 
situation  which  they  cannot  resolve  to  meet.  The 
appalling  inconsistency  of  rational  beings  confronting 
death,  surrounded  by  the  vain  jests  and  follies  of 
life,  is  a  horrible  characteristic  of  the  French  revo- 
lutionists. This  they  termed  freedom  from  weak- 
ness aad  superstition.  Alas,  how  very  weak  is  man 
in  his  own  strength !  Under  how  many  unsuspected 
shapes  does  the  dread  phantom  Superstition  rear 
itself  in  every  age !  Here  was  one  of  its  most 
appalling  forms.  Men  recoiling  from  the  solitude, 
and  gloom,  and  hidden  tears  created  in  their  hearts 
by  infidelity,  called  to  each  other  in  the  jibberings 
of  insensate  mirth,  that  they  might  fill  without 
thought  the  pause  between  time  and  eternity 

Speak — let  me  hear  thy  voice  j 

Mine  own  affrights  me  with  its  echoes ! 


THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  49 


CHAPTER  II. 

Josephine's  Charities— Note — Letter  to  her  Aunt— Examination  of  her 
Husband — The  ludicrous  and  horrible  of  Revolutionary  Justice— Let- 
ter from  Josephine— Affecting  Interview— Eugene — Hortense— Letter 
— Villany  of  the  Revolutionary  Spies— Conversation  betrayed— Pre- 
tended Conspiracy  of  M.  de  Beauharnais — Letter  from  Josephine — 
Examination  of  her  Children — Another  Letter— Her  Interview  with 
the  Committee — Anecdotes— Dungeons  of  the  Committee — Letter  to 
her  Husband — Anecdotes— Delusions — Reply  —  Robespierre  —  Jose- 
phine's Arrest — Affecting  Details — Horrible  Prison — Anecdotes— Dis 
persion  of  the  Beauharnais  Family. 

SOON  after  her  husband's  imprisonment,  Josephine 
appears  to  have  retired  for  a  brief  space  from  Paris, 
most  probably  on  a  visit  to  Fontainbleau.  A  note 
of  this  date  is  still  extant,  in  which  she '  gives  di- 
rections to  her  "  faithful  Victorine  to  open  a  secret 
drawer  in  the  vicomte's  scrutoire,  which  had  es- 
caped the  inquisitors,  and  to  secure  the  papers  it 
contained.'*  The  folio  wing  passage  evinces  that 
Josephine,  in  her  severe  and  homefelt  adversity,  had 
not  forgotten  those  whom  her  own  kindness  of 
heart  had  placed  as  dependants  on  her  bounty.  "  I 
presume  that  my  absence  has  made  no  change  in 
the  order  of  the  distributions ;  I  wish  them  to  be 
continued  as  usual.  Victorine  will  give  two  por- 
tions to  Dame  Marguerite,  for  I  have  learned  that 
she  has  become  burdened  with  the  charge  of  a 
grandson — a  circumstance  which  she  did  not  mention 
to  me."  At  this  distressful  period,  there  were  num- 
bers of  children  and  females  who,  having  lost, 
through  imprisonment  or  death,  their  natural  pro- 
tectors, and  falling  thus  from  a  state  of  respecta- 
bility at  once  into  indigence,  wi  hout  those  hum- 
bling gradations  which  break  down  the  spirit,  would 
have  perished  in  the  garrets  and  cellars  whither  they 
had  retreated,  but  for  such  gentle  ministrations  as 
here  noted.  In  these  charities,  Josephine's  exer* 
E 


50  MEMOIRS    OF 

». 

tions  were  unremitting,  and  enabled  her,  with  but  a 
moderate  income,  to  do  much  good.  Her  pension 
ers  were  supplied,  not  with  money,  but  with  fooa, 
soup,  bread,  and,  if  the  necessities  of  ill  health  re- 
quired, with  meat  and  wine ;  while,  by  interesting 
her  friends  in  the  cause,  she  obtained  work  for  those 
deserted  beings,  and  so  enabled  them,  by  their  own 
labours — the  sweetest  of  all  resources — to  minister 
to  their  own  wants.  Several  lived  to  bless  Jose- 
phine on  a  throne  for  a  life  thus  preserved  by  her 
bounty,  when  she  herself  had  been  little  removed 
from  a  prison. 

Confident  in  the  innocence  of  her  husband,  and 
more  inclined  to  entertain  hope,  from  ignorance  of 
the  characters  of  those  in  power,  Josephine,  like 
many  other  victims  of  similar  delusions,  appears  at 
first  to  have  regarded  with  little  apprehension  the 
issue  of  De  Beauharnais's  imprisonment.  The  fol- 
lowing playful  note  to  Dr.  Portal,  a  worthy  physi- 
cian, lately  alive,  seems  to  have  been  written  in  this 
happy  mood : — 

u  Quick,  good  doctor,  run  to  the  committee  of 
superintendence,  and  you  will  receive  permission  to 
enter  the  Luxembourg.  There  you  will  find  one  of 
your  favourites,  who,  spite  of  his  situation,  has  not 
forgotten  his  engagement  with  you  to  be  sick  at 
least  fifteen  days  in  the  twelvemonth.  The  pledge 
is  now  to  be  redeemed — but  not  an  hour  more  than 
the  fortnight — you  understand  me,  doctor, — as  you 
shall  answer  on  your  head.  That  would  even  be 
a  great  deal  top  long  were  Alexander  at  liberty ;  but 
in  prison,  a  little  nursing  helps  to  pass  the  time 
when  it  does  not  kill  the  patient,  and,  besides,  an 
agreeable  physician  amuses  both  complaint  and 
complainer.  "  J.  DE  B." 

Perhaps,  too,  the  examination  of  her  husband  had 
tended,  about  this  time,  further  to  reassure  Madame 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  51 

de  Beauharnais.  Her  own  letter,  which  follows,  on 
this  subject,  while  it  is  an  extremely  curious  docu- 
ment of  the  times,  and  explains  some  circumstances 
in  the  political  career  of  the  vicomte,  makes  us 
shudder  to  think  that  the  lives  of  thirty  millions  of 
men  were  in  such  hands,  or  that,  in  the  particular 
instance,  such  mockery  should  have  been  consum- 
mated on  the  scaffold. 

Josephine  to  her  Aunt. 

"Alexander  has  been  examined  to-day,  and  to- 
morrow I  shall  have  permission  to  visit  him.  The 
president  of  the  committee  is  a  good  enough  man, 
but  void  of  all  energy;  whom  I  know  not  how 
many  quintals  of  fat  deprive  of  movement,  ideas,  and 
almost  of  speech.  With  the  best  intentions  in  the 
world,  he  has  less  authority  than  the  meanest  clerk 
in  his  office.  He  arrives  late,  gets  to  his  chair  puff- 
ing and  blowing,  falls  down  heavily,  and,  when  at 
length  he  is  seated,  remains  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
without  speaking.  Meanwhile  a  secretary  reads 
reports  which  he  does  not  hear,  though  affecting  to 
listen ;  sometimes  he  falls  asleep  during  the  reading, 
— a  circumstance  which  prevents  not  his  awaking 
just  in  time  to  sign  what  he  has  neither  heard 
nor  understood.  As  to  the  examinations^which  he 
commences,  and  which  all  of  his  colleagues  con- 
tinue, there  are  some  atrocious,  a  great  number 
ridiculous,  but  all  more  or  less  curious.  What, 
indeed,  can  be  more  remarkable  than  to  behold  its 
highest  orders  interrogated  before  those  who,  not- 
withstanding their  elevation,  are  but  the  dregs  of 
society  1  My  dear  aunt,  when  I  speak  thus,  under- 
stand me  to  make  no  reference  to  birth,  fortune,  or 
privileges  ;  but  to  sentiment,  conduct,  and  principles. 

"  Enclosed  I  send  you  an  outline  of  my  husband's 
examination,  in  which,  as  you  will  perceive,  the 
ridiculous  contends  with  the  horrible.  Such  are  tha 
two  features  of  our  era-'  - 


52  MEMOIRS   OF 

"  President. — Who  are  you  ? 
M.  de  Beauharnais. — A  man,  and  a  Frenchman. 
President. — None  of  your  gibes  here !    I  demand 
your  name. 

M.  de  B. — Eugene- Alexander  de  Beauharnais. 
A  Member. — No  de,  if  you  please ;  it  is  too  aris- 
tocratic\ 

M.  de'B. — Feudal,ryou  would  say.  It  is  certain, 
a  name  without  the  particle  would  be  more  rational. 
The  offence,  if  it  be  one,  comes  of  time  and  my 
ancestors. 

Another  Member. — Ah!  so  you  have  got  ances- 
tors !    The  confession  is  an  honest  one  ;  it  is  well 
to  know  as  much.     Note  that,  citizens ;  he  has  a 
grandfather,  and  makes  no  secret  of  it.    [Here  nine 
of  the  twelve  members  composing  the  committee 
fell  a-laughing.     One  of  those  who,  amid  the  general 
gayety,  had  maintained  an  appearance  of  serious- 
ness, called  out,  in  a  loud  tone,  *  Fools  !  who  does 
not  know  that  ancestors  are  old  musty  parchments  ? 
Is  it  this  man's  fault  if  his  credentials  have  'not  been 
burned  ?    Citizen,  I  advise  thee  to  bestow  them  here 
with  the  committee,  and  I  give  thee  the  assurance 
that  a  good  bonfire  shall  soon  render  us  an  account 
of  thine  ancestors.'     Here  a  ridiculous  laughter 
took  possession  of  the  entire  of  the  honourable 
council,  and  not  without  much  difficulty  could  the  fat 
president  recall  them  to  a  sense  of  decorum.    A  t  the 
same  time,  this  explosion  of  hilarity  having  put  him 
into  good-humour,  he  politely  requested  the  accused 
to  be  seated.    Again  he  was  interrupted  by  a  mem- 
ber calling  him  to  order,  for  having  used  the  plural 
to  a  suspected  citizen.     Hereupon  the  uproar  began 
anew  more  violently  than  ever,  from  the  word  Mon- 
sieur having  been  applied  to  the  president  by  the 
member  as  a  joke.     Order  once  more  established, 
my  husband  embraced  the  first  moment  of  silence 
to  felicitate  the  members  on  the  innocent  nature  of 
their  discussions,  and  to  congratulate  himself  in 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  53 

having  for  judges  magistrates  of  such  a  joyous  dis- 
position.] 

President,  with  an  important  air. — Dost  take  our 
operations  for  farces  1  Thou  art  prodigiously  de- 
ceived. The  suspected  citizen  is  right,  colleagues, 
in  calling  us  his  judges ;  that  title  ought  to  restore 
us  to  gravity.  Formerly,  it  was  permitted  to  laugh, 
now  we  must  be  serious. 

M.  de  B. — Such  is  the  distinction  between  the  old 
and  new  regime. 

President. — Proceed  we  then  seriously,  and  con- 
tinue the  examination.  Citizen  Jarbac  (to  one  of 
the  secretaries),  be'st  thou  there? — (To  M.  de  B.) 
Thy  titles  and  qualities  ? 

M.  de  B. — A  French  citizen,  and  a  general  in  the 
service  of  the  republic. 

A  Member. — President,  he  does  not  declare  all;  he 
was  formerly  a — 

Another  Member. — A  prince  or  a  baron,  at  least. 

M.  de  B.,  smiling. — Only  a  vicomte,  if  so  please 
you,  and  quite  enough,  too. 

President. — Enough !  it  is  a  great  deal  too  much : 
so  you  confess  being  a  noble. 

M.  de  B. — I  confess  that  so  men  called  me,  and 
so,  for  some  time,  I  believed,  under  the  reign  of  igno- 
rance, habit,  and  prejudice. 

President. — Acknowledge  also  that  you  are  not 
yet  entirely  disabused. 

M.  de  B. — The  obstinacy  of  some  men  who  per- 
sist in  combating  a  chimera  preserves  for  such 
things  a  sort  of  reality.  As  for  myself,  I  have  long 
regarded  the  illusion  as  dissipated.  Reason  had 
taught  me  that  there  could  exist  no  distinctions  save 
those  which  result  from  virtue,  talent,  or  service ; 
a  sound  policy  has  since  demonstrated  to  me  that 
there  ought  to  exist  none  others. 

Citizen  Nevil. — That  I  call  reasoning  from  prin- 
ciple. 

President. — Without  denying  the  consequences, 
E3 


54  MEMOIRS    OF 


whence  has  the  accused  derived  these  principles  ? 
From  the  Constitutional  Assembly ! 

M.  de  B. — I  consider  it  an  honour  to  have  been  a 
member  of  that  assembly. 

President. — Did  you  not  even  preside  there  ? 

M.  de  B. — Yes,  citizen ;  and  at  an  ever  memora 
ble  era. 

President. — That  was, — after  the  flight  of  the  ty 
rant  ? 

M.  de  B. — That  was  on  the  occasion  of  the  jour 
ney  of  Louis  XVI.  to  Varennes,  and  on  his  return. 

A  Member. — For  a  bet,  the  citizen  does  not  con 
sider  Louis  Capet  to  have  been  a  tyrant. 

M.  de  B. — History  will  explain,  and  posterity  will 
pronounce. 

Citizen  Nevil. — The  question  here  is  not  what  citi* 
zen  Beauharnais  thinks,  but  what  he  has  done. 

President. — Just — most  just :  see  we,  then,  what 
citizen  Beauharnais  has  done. 

M.  de  B. — Nothing ;  and  that  in  a  distempered  time, 
I  conceive  to  have  been  the  best  of  all  proceedings. 

President. — Thus  you  declared  for  no  party  ? 

M.  de  B. — No — if  by  party  you  mean  factions 
which  hate  each  other,  rend  the  state,  and  impede 
the  reign  of  the  laws,  and  the  strengthening  of  the 
republic ;  but  yes — if  by  party  you  understand  the 
immense  majority  of  the  French  people  who  desire 
independence  and  liberty  :  of  that  party  am  I. 

A  Member. — It  remains  to  be  known  through  what 
means  of  adherence  ? 

M.  de  B. — I  should  prefer,  in  order  to  persuade, 
the  means  employed  by  reason, — to  convince  those 
of  sentiment ;  against  anarchy,  by  turns  the  cause 
and  the  effect  of  factions,  I  nevertheless  believe  that 
it  is  not  forbidden  to  employ  force.  But  I  require 
that  it  be  used  so  as  not  to  be  abused;  that  men 
have  recourse  to  it  rarely,  and  that  they  yield  to 
humanity  whatever  they  can  take  from  severity 
without  compromising  the  safety  of  the  state. 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  55 

A  Member  (it  was  the  old  wretch  charged  with  the 
arrest  of  my  husband). — Humanity !  humanity !  In 
certain  mouths,  such  language  is  suspected. 

M.  de  B. — And  ought  to  be  so,  if  it  signify  pity 
for  wilful  criminals  ;  but  it  is  respectable  when  in- 
voked in  favour  of  inexperience  and  error. 

A  Member. — Such  is  the  tone  held  by  all  mode- 
rates. 

M.  de  7?.-— Moderation  is  the  daughter  of  reason, 
and  the  mother  of  power ;  why  should  I  be  violent  and 
agitated,  if,  in  a  sound  state  of  mind,  I  feel  myself 
vigorous  through  calmness,  and  powerful  by  wisdom  ? 

Nevil. — I  assure  you,  citizens,  that  neither  Rous- 
seau, nor  Mably,  nor  Montesquieu  ever  wrote  any 
thing  more  sensible. 

A  Member. — Who  are  these  people  ?  do  they  be- 
ong  to  the  section  1 

Another  Member.— Don't  you  see  they  are  Feuil- 
lans  1  All  that  has  the  smack  of  moderatism,  and  is 
not  worth  a . 

President. — You  are  all  wrong,  citizens ;  these  are 
authors  of  the  reign  of  Louis  XIV.,  and  you  may  see 
their  tragedies  played  every  night  at  the  Theatre 
Francois." 

"Here  a  new  uproar  ensued,  some  defending, 
others  impugning,  these  novel  discoveries  in  literary 
history.  My  husband  would  have  smiled  in  derision, 
had  he  not  sighed  to  think  in  whose  hands  the  fate 
of  his  fellow-citizens  had  thus  been  placed.  Nevil, 
by  labouring  to  bring  back  the  debate  to  its  proper 
object,  endeavoured  to  terminate  a  sitting  equally 
painful  and  ludicrous.  After  some  more  absurd  and 
irrelevant  interrogatories,  the  president  decided  for 
the  provisional  detention  of  Alexander.  '  Time  will 
thus  be  afforded,'  so  concluded  his  address,  with 
revolutionary  forethought,  '  for  convicting  you : 
and  you,  citizen,  will  have  leisure  for  your  defence. 
If  you  love  your  country,  you  can  serve  it  as  well 
by  your  resignation  as  by  your  activity;  and  if 


56  MEMOIRS  or 

liberty  be  dear  to  you,  it  will  become  much  more  so 
in  a  prison.  Thereupon,  I  remit  you,  not  as  culpa- 
ble— God  forbid !  but  as  one  who  may  become  guilty. 
You  will  be  inscribed  upon  the  registers  of  the 
Luxembourg  merely  with  this  favourable  remark: 
Convicted  of  being  suspected  /' 

The  storm  was  thus  rapidly  thickening  round  De 
Beauharnais;  even  the  long-sought  interview  to 
which  Josephine  alludes  in  her  last  letter  proved  in 
the  end  a  means  in  the  scheme  of  villany.  The 
yicomte  had  petitioned  to  see  his  wife  and  children 
in  the  prison  of  the  Luxembourg, — a  favour  at  length 
extended  to  him  through  the  instrumentality  of 
Louis,  deputy  from  the  Lower  Rhine,  one  of  the  as- 
sociates of  Robespierre,  but  who,  unlike  his  princi- 
pal, held  still  some  communion  with  human  feelings, 
and  to  whom  Nevil,  "  the  constant  and  indefatiga- 
ble," had  applied.  The  details  of  this  meeting,  the 
last  save  one  which  she  ever  enjoyed  with  the  hus- 
band of  her  youth,  are  exquisitely  given  in  the  follow 
ing  letter  from  Josephine  to  her  aunt : — 

"  This  has  been  a  day  at  once  very  delightful  and 
very  painful.  My  husband  having  desired  to  see  us, 
I  resolved,  in  order  to  spare  their  young  feelings,  to 
send  the  children  first,  and  Nevil  took  charge  of  them 
for  this  purpose.  They  had  for  some  time  been 
told  that  their  father,  being  sick,  was  under  the  care 
of  a  famous  physician,  who,  on  account  of  the  salu- 
brity of  the  air  and  the  spacious  buildings,  resided 
in  the  Luxembourg.  The  first  interview  passed  over 
pretty  well ;  only  Hortense  remarked  that  papa's 
apartments  were  extremely  small,  and  the  patients 
very  numerous.  At  the  time  I  arrived  they  had 
left  their  father,  a  kind-hearted  turnkey,  gained  by 
Nevil,  having  taken  the  precaution  to  keep  them  re- 
moved. They  had  gone  to  visit  in  the  neighbouring 
c.ells,  whose  inmates  were  touched  by  their  youth, 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  57 

their  situation,  and  their  ingenuousness.  I  dreaded 
the  sight  of  our  mutual  emotion:  our  interview 
took  place  in  their  absence.  Alexander,  who  sup- 
ports his  captivity  with  courage,  showed  himself 
unable  to  bear  up  against  my  tears.  Recovering 
myself  at  length,  and  alarmed  at  seeing  him  so 
greatly  moved,  I  constrained  my  own  sorrow,  and 
endeavoured  in  turn  to  sooth  his.  Our  children 
now  made  their  appearance.  This  brought  on  a  new 
crisis,  the  more  painful  that  we  felt  its  cause  must 
be  dissembled. 

"  Hortense,  who  is  sincerity  itself,  was  for  long 
deceived,  and  in  all  the  tenderness  of  an  affectionate 
heart,  wished  to  persuade  us  that  we  acted  wrong  in 
afflicting  ourselves,  since  papa's  illness  was  not  dan- 
gerous. All  this  while  poor  Hortense  exhibited  that 
slight  air  of  incredulous  hesitation  which  you  know 
becomes  her  so  well:  '  Do  you  believe  that  papa  is 
ill  V  said  she  to  her  brother ;  *  if  so,  at  least,  it  is 
not  the  sickness  which  the  doctors  cure.' — '  What 
do  you  mean,  my  dear  girl,'  asked  I ;  « can  you  sup- 
pose that  papa  and  I  would  contrive  between  us  to 
deceive  you  V — '  Pardon,  mamma,  but  I  do  think  so.' 
— *  Oh !  sister,'  eagerly  interrupted  Eugene, '  that  is 
a  very  singular  speech  of  yours  !' — '  On  the  con- 
trary,' replied  she,  '  it  is  quite  simple  and  natural.' 
— '  How,  miss1?'  said  I,  in  my  turn,  affecting  severity. 
—'Unquestionably,'  continued  the  little  sly  one, 
4  good  parents  are  permitted  to  deceive  their  children 
when  they  wish  to  spare  them  uneasiness  ;  is  it  not 
so,  mamma  V  At  these  words,  she  threw  herself 
upon  my  bosom,  and,  putting  one  arm  round  her 
father's  neck,  drew  him  gently  towards  us.  A  smile 
shone  through  her  tears  ;  and  Eugene,  mingling  his 
caresses  in  this  domestic  scene,  rendered  the  whole 
truly  affecting.  Amiable  and  gentle  child,  he  shows 
as  much  singleness  of  heart  as  his  sister  displays 
penetration  and  spirit.  Both  have  hitherto  formed 
our  joy :  why  should  it  be,  that,  at  this  crisis,  they 


6$  MEMOIRS    OF 

are  the  cause  of  our  most  lively  disquietudes,  and 
occasion  to  me — to  me  personally — inexpressible 
uneasiness,  which  I  am  unable  to  subdue,  and  can 
with  difficulty  combat !  For  myself  I  have  no  fear ; 
but  for  them — for  Alexander — I  become  a  very 
coward. 

"  In  the  course  of  the  visits  which  my  children  had 
made,  and  from  the  conversations  my  daughter  had 
collected  and  overheard,  she  had  divined  that  her 
father  was  a  prisoner.  We  now  acknowledged  what 
it  was  no  longer  possible  to  conceal.  *  And  the  rea- 
son1?' demanded  Hortense.  Even  her  brother,  less 
timid  than  ordinary,  would  know  the  motive  for 
such  severity.  It  would  have  been  very  difficult  to 
satisfy  them.  Strange  abuse  of  power, — absurd  and 
despicable  excess  of  tyranny,  which  a  child  has  judg- 
ment to  condemn,  which  all  ought  to  possess  the 
right  to  punish,  and  yet  of  which  men  dare  not 
even  complain ! 

" '  Oh,'  cried  Hortense,  *  when  we  are  able,  we 
will  punish  your  accusers'. — *  Hush,  my  child,'  said 
her  father,  *  were  you  to  be  overheard  speaking  thus, 
I  should  be  ruined,  as  well  as  yourselves  and  your 
mother ;  while  we  would  not  then  enjoy  the  con- 
solation of  being  persecuted  altogether  unjustly.' — 
*  Have  you  not  often  explained  to  us,'  remarked 
Eugene,  *  that  it  is  lawful  to  resist  oppression.' — '  I 
repeat  the  same  sentiment  once  more,'  replied  my 
husband ;  *  but  prudence  ought  to  accompany  resist- 
ance; and  he  who  would  overcome  tyranny,  must 
be  careful  not  to  put  the  tyrant  on  his  guard.' 

"By  degrees  the  conversation  assumed  a  less 
serious  turn.  We  forgot  the  present  misfortune  to 
give  ourselves  up  to  soft  remembrances  and  future 
plans.  You  will  readily  conceive  that  in  these  latter 
you  were  far  from  being  overlooked. 

"  *  I  wish  every  possible  happiness  to  my  aunt,' 
said  Alexander,  laughing ;  '  nevertheless,  as  the  Nine 
are  said  never  to  be  so  interesting  as  when  they  are 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  59 

afflicted,  I  would  beseech  just  a  few  days'  captivity 
for  my  aunt's  muse ;  a  fine  elegy  would  doubtless 
be  the  result,  and  the  glory  of  the  poetess,  by  im- 
mortalizing her  prison,  would  prove  ample  consola- 
tion for  having  inhabited  one.' 

"  What  say  you  to  that  wish,  my  dear  aunt  1 
Perhaps  you  will  regard  it  as  affects  your  true  in- 
terests. For  my  own  part,  however,  who  love  your 
person  even  better  than  your  poetry,  I  cannot  help 
framing  a  contrary  aspiration  ;  and  may  you  never 
join  your  name  to  that  of  an  Ovid  or  a  Madame  de  la 
Sure ;  but  may  you  continue  to  write  prose,  and  to 
live  free,  happy  in  yielding  to  the  first  dictate  of  your 
heart, — that  of  doing  good !" 

Perhaps  the  iniquity  of  the  French  Revolution, 
and  the  wickedness  of  that  Convention  alone,  could 
have  found  in  these  simple  details  cause  of  fresh 
and  fatal  persecution.  But  so  it  was.  The  conver- 
sation of  M.  de  Beauharnais  with  his  children,  being 
overheard,  most  likely  by  agents  secretly  placed  on 
purpose,  and  reported  to  the  "  tyrant,"  was  magni- 
fied into  a  conspiracy,  and  became  the  cause  of 
more  vexatious  restriction  to  the  captives  of  the 
Luxembourg,  and  finally  issued  to  himself  in  a  capi- 
tal punishment.  Josephine's  letters  again  supply 
these  incidents,  interesting,  not  only  as  affect.ing  her 
own  story,  but  as  filling  up  the  history  of  a  period 
the  enormities  of  which  have  hitherto  been  con- 
templated chiefly  in  the  gross. 

To  Madame  Fanny  Beauharnais. 

"  I  must  now,  my  esteemed  aunt,  collect  all  my 
fortitude  to  inform  you  of  the  catastrophe  which 
has  just  befallen  us ;  you  will  need  the  whole  of 
yours  to  sustain  the  recital.  The  observations 
made  by  my  husband  to  his  children,  and  which  I 
transmitted,  will  not  have  escaped  you :  *  It  is  per- 


60  MEMOIRS    OF 

mitted,'  such  were  his  words  to  Eugene, '  it  is  even 
a  duty  to  resist  oppression ;  but  prudence  ought  to 
direct  force,  and  he  who  would  subvert  or  subdue 
tyranny  must  beware  of  disclosing  his  designs.' — • 
To  explain  to  you  how  these  words,  which  we 
conceived  were  heard  by  ourselves  alone,  reached  the 
ears  of  spies,  would  be  difficult  for  me ;  and  now  that 
I  reflect  upon  the  circumstance,  tne  disclosure  ap- 
pears still  more  mysterious.  At  first  we  suspected 
Nevil ;  but  you  will  conceive  with  what  indignation 
against  ourselves  we  repelled  a  suspicion  which,  for 
the  moment,  forced  itself  upon  our  alarmed  fancy. 
One  of  the  saddest  miseries  of  adversity  is,  that  it 
renders  men  unjust,  awakening  doubts  of  the  sin- 
cerity of  friendship,  so  rarely  given  to  misfortune. 
In  thinking  the  best  of  the  conduct  of  that  excel- 
lent young  man  I  did  well ;  for  it  is  still  through  his 
means  that  I  am  able  to  transmit  you  the  follow- 
ing details : — I  am  thus  completely  ignorant  by  whom 
or  in  what  manner  we  have  been  betrayed. 

"As  soon  as  the  Revolutionary  Committee  had 
knowledge  of  my  poor  Alexander's  remark,  they  in* 
tercepted  all  communication  between  him  and  the 
otker  prisoners;  and,  which  has  thrown  us  into 
greater  consternation  still,  between  him  and  his 
family.  On  the  morrow  he  was  shut  up  in  his 
chamber,  which  fortunately  opens  upon  a  small  cor- 
ridor communicating  with  a  second  apartment,  at 
present  unoccupied,  an  arrangement  which,  hitherto 
unobserved,  triples  the  space  for  exercise.  Two 
days  after,  the  doors  were  thrown  open,  and  he  re- 
ceived the  very  unexpected  visit  of  a  member  of  the 
Committee  of  General  Safety.  The  visiter  was  Va- 
dier,  his  colleague  in  the  Constitutional  Assembly, 
— a  gray-headed,  suspicious  ruffian,  who  follows  the 
dictates  of  habitual  misanthropy,  and  with  whom 
suspicions  are  equivalent  to  proofs.  In  the  tone 
assumed  with  my  husband,  the  latter  instantly 
recognised  prejudice  and  personal  hatred,  and  shrunk 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  61 

from  penetrating  farther.  As  for  myself,  the  bare 
idea  causes  me  to  shudder,  and  were  1  to  dwell  upon 
the  thought  for  a  moment,  I  feel  that  terror  would 
freeze  my  heart. 

"' Without  inquiring,'  answered  Alexander,  'by 
what  means  you  have  discovered  my  thoughts,  I  am 
very  far  from  disavowing  the  maxim  which  you  re- 
peat after  me,  or  the  principles  you  attribute  to  me. 
Is  not  the  entire  theory  of  the  Revolution  compre- 
hended in  these  ideas?  do  they  not  teach  a  doc- 
trine which  its  friends  have  reduced  to  practice  ] 
are  not  these  principles  yours  also  V — 'All  that  I 
grant,'  replied  Vadier ;  '  but  times,  places,  persons, 
change  all ;  and  a  truth  of  this  nature,  admirable  as  it 
may  be  in  speculation,  becomes  a  dagger  when  men 
know  not  how  to  use  it ;  it  is  a  two-edged  weapon, 
which  we  have  done  well  in  directing  against  the 
enemies  of  liberty  :  but  if  it  so  happen  that  those 
who  have  been  wounded,  though  not  prostrated,  es- 
say to  turn  it  against  the  defenders  of  freedom,— --if, 
in  such  a  retrograde  and  criminal  movement,  they 
were  guided  by  one  of  those  arms  which  had  com- 
bated them,  and  which,  in  protecting  them  to-day, 
desired  to  avenge  their  wounds  of  the  past, — say, 
would  such  a  one  be  guiltless  ?  would  the  intentions 
he  obeyed  be  pure  ?  or,  could  too  great  severity  be 
exercised  to  prevent  the  effect  rather  than  have  to 
punish  the  consequences  V — '  In  these  dangerous 
and  forced  deductions,'  answered  M.  de  B., '  I  recog- 
nise the  doctrine  of  your  master.  Upon  deceitful 
hypotheses  you  may  base  at  will  the  scaffolding  of 
any  propositions,  however  absurd  ;  and,  arguing 
from  the  possible  to  the  positive,  you  deliver  the  in- 
nocent to  punishment,  as  the  means  of  preventing 
them  from  guilt.' — *  Whoever  is  suspected,'  was  the 
atrocious  reply, *  deserves  suspicion.' — '  Speak  more 
honestly  at  once,'  replied  your  nephew :  '  whoever 
is  innocent  soon  falls  under  suspicion;  and,  once 
suspected,  he  perishes ;  if  it  be  imagined  that  his 


62  MEMOIRS    OF 

innocence  may  waver,  you  quickly  punish  him  as  a 
criminal.' — '  You  press  the  consequence  rather  from 
feeling  than  reason,'  returned  Vadier ;  *  we  designate 
and  treat  as  criminal  him  only  who  impedes  or  cor- 
rupts the  principles  of  the  Revolution.  Would  you 
have  spoken  out  hud  not  the  anti-revolutionary  doc- 
trines, in  despite  of  us,  and  even  without  our  know- 
ledge, refuted  you '?  Wo  to  the  guilty  who  compro- 
mise themselves  !' — '  Wo,  rather,'  cried  my  husband, 
*  wo  to  those  tyrants  who  explain,  or  rather  who 
mystify,  by  an  insidious  and  crafty  sophistry,  their 
system  of  manslaughter !  we  may  easily  put  aside  the 
thrust  which  is  aimed  at  us  in  honest  hostility ;  and,  as 
the  President  du  Ilarlay  remarks,  a  mighty  space  in- 
terposes between  the  heart  of  the  good  man  and  the 
poniard  of  the  miscreant.  But  how  avoid  the  stab 
dealt  in  darkness  1  there  is  no  remedy ;  we  must  be 
silent,  and  bare  the  throat.'  At  these  words,  which 
I  much  blame,  the  old  President  of  the  General  Safety 
Committee  left  the  prison  ;  and  Nevil,  who  had 
been  listening  in  the  corridor,  imagined  he  remarked 
in  his  naturally  stern  countenance  an  indescribable 
expression  of  the  most  sinister  import.  I  shall  keep 
you  daily  informed  of  the  consequence^  of  this 
affair,  which  fills  me  with  inexpressible  alarm." 

Josephine's  inquietude  was  but  too  well  founded, 
considering  only  the  characters  of  the  oppressors, 
and  the  events  which  had  already  taken  place.  But 
at  this  very  time  a  secret,  and  to  her  unknown,  aim 
added  still  more  deadly  certainty  to  the  blow  which 
threatened  a  life  so  dearly  cherished.  About  this 
very  time  (May,  1794)  Robespierre  had  declined  in 
popularity,  and  was  making  great  efforts  to  regain 
the  ascendency.  Collot  d'Herbois,  Tallien,  Barras, 
Fouche,  and  others,  by  whom  the  consummation  of 
the  9th  Thermidor  (27th  July,  1794)  was  finally 
brought  about,  had  already,  though  covertly,  begun 
to  encourage  this  reaction  against  the  tyrant.  The 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  63 

adherents  of  the  latter,  on  the  other  hand,  began 
afresh  their  heretofore  often  successful  attempts  to 
raise  the  cry  that  the  person  of  the  republican  chief, 
and,  consequently,  the  republic  itself,  was  in  dan- 
ger from  the  poniards  of  "  the  enemies  of  liberty." 
By  such  means  they  had  excited,  and  hoped  again  to 
excite,  an  artificial  interest  in  the  public  mind,  and 
create  a  fitting  pretence  for  taking  off  their  per- 
sonal as  well  as  political  opponents.  The  slightest 
shadow  of  a  conspiracy  among  the  captive  aris- 
tocracy of  the  Luxembourg  was  an  opportunity  too 
favourable  for  maturing  this  infamous  policy  to  be 
for  a  moment  overlooked.  Accordingly.;  following 
closely,  and  founded  upon  the  simple  event  of  the 
interview  of  &  father  with  his  children,  just  related, 
appeared  a  magniloquent  paragraph  in  the  Moniteur, 
to  this  effect  : — "  A  grand  conspiracy  has  been  dis- 
covered in  the  house  of  seclusion"  (the  Revolution 
is  celebrated  for  the  invention  of  terms),  "  at  the 
Luxembourg.  To  have  discovered  and  denounced, 
is  to  have  prostrated,  and  even  annihilated  the  plot. 
The  principal  leader  appears  to  have  been  the  ci- 
devant  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais,  member  of  the 
.assembly  called  '  the  Constituant,'  (the  first  conven- 
tion), and  one  of  its  presidents.  This  has  been  de- 
tected from  certain  papers  seized,  and  from  examina- 
tions of  the  suspected ;  from  these  it  is  understood, 
that  nothing  less  than  resistance  and  opposition  to 
the  revolutionary  government  had  been  meditated. 
This  opposition,  in  the  first  instance  of  opinion  only, 
apparently  waited  only  a  favourable  conjuncture  to 
become  an  armed  resistance.  Such  were  the  prin- 
ciples, and  such  would  have  become  the  conduct,  of 
the  conspirators.  They  were  aided  in  their  culpa- 
ble machinations  by  a  young  man  attached  to  Beau- 
harnais, and  who  seems  to  have  been  placed  in  the 
Revolutionary  Committee  of  the  section  to  act  as 
the  patron  of  the  disaffected.  Thanks  to  citizen 
Laflotte,  this  conspiracy  against  liberty  has  been  dis« 


64  MEMOIRS    OF 

sipated ;  the  eye  of  government  will  in  a  few  days 
have  completely  unravelled  its  darkest  intricacies 
and  the  hands  of  administration,  armed  for  the  con- 
solidating of  the  republic,  will  not  be  slack  to  punish 
those  who  seem  to  live  only  to  attempt  its  overthrow." 
The  "  administration"  suffered  no  time  to  elapse 
before  fulfilling  these  denunciations  of  severity.  The 
day  following  the  publication  of  this  exaggerated 
account  of  a  very  simple  event  Nevil  was  arrested, 
in  a  manner  which,  as  Josephine  remarked,  "  gave  a 
scandalous  publicity  to  his  fictitious  crime."  But 
though  its  commencement  was  thus  industriously 
bruited  abroad,  the  scene  of  his  captivity  was  so 
carefully  concealed,  that  his  nearest  relatives,  a 
mother  and  betrothed  bride,  continued  in  ignorance 
of  his  fate,  or  whether  he  was  alive  or  dead,  till 
Madame  de  Beauharnais,  gratefully  desirous  of  serv- 
ing one  who  suffered  on  her  husband's  account,  at 
length  discovered  the  wretched  committee  man  in 
one  of  the  most  loathsome  of  the  revolutionary  dun- 
geons. These  circumstances  we  learn  from  her 
own  letters.  But  the  hero  of  this  feigned  conspiracy, 
the  vicomte  himself,  a  celebrated  republican  com- 
mander, either  appeared  too  great  a  personage  thus 
to  be  struck  obscurely  and  in  the  dark,  or  his  accu- 
sers, by  means  of  informations  elicited  from  those 
with  whom  he  conversed  familiarly,  wished  to  impli- 
cate both  him  and  others  more  deeply  in  their  snares. 
In  carrying  forward  this  latter  intention,  it  must  be 
acknowledged  they  evinced  a  diabolical  ingenuity. 
And  amid  the  terrible  generalities  by  which  history 
represents  the  enormities  of  the  French  Revolution, 
we  are  struck  with  a  peculiar  horror  by  the  incident 
pertaining  to  our  present  subject,  of  a  son  and 
daughter — mere  children  too — secretly  interrogated, 
in  order  indirectly  to  obtain  matter  of  accusation 
against  a  father  from  their  unguarded  and  artless 
answers !  The  feeling  resembles  that  intenseness 
of  pain  occasioned  by  the  contemplation  of  a  single 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  65 

group  in  Guide's  Massacre  of  the  Innocents.    But 
here  a  mother's  language  will  best  describe  the  scene : 

Josephine,  to  her  Aunt. 

"  Will  you  believe  it,  my  dear  aunt  1  My  children 
have  just  undergone  a  long  and  minute  examination ! 
That  wretched  old  man,  member  of  the  committee, 
and  whom  I  have  repeatedly  named  to  you,  intro- 
duced himself  into  my  house  ;  and  under  pretence  of 
feeling  interested  in  my  husband,  and  of  entertaining 
me,  set  my  poor  ones  a-talking.  I  confess  that  at 
first  I  was  completely  thrown  off  my  guard  by  this 
stratagem  ;  only  I  could  not  help  wondering  at  the 
affability  of  such  a  personage.  Innate  guile,  how- 
ever, soon  betrayed  itself  when  the  children  replied 
in  terms  whence  it  was  impossible  to  extort  the 
least  implication  against  their  unfortunate  parents. 
Thus  I  speedily  detected  the  deceit.  When  he  per- 
ceived I  had  penetrated  his  craft,  he  ceased  to  feign, 
and  declaring  that  he  had  been  charged  with  ob- 
taining from  my  children  information  so  much  the 
more  certain  as  being  ingenuous,  he  proceeded  to 
interrogate  them  in  form.  Upon  this  avowal,  I  was 
sensible  of  an  inexpressible  revulsion  taking  place 
within  me ;  I  felt  that  I  grew  pale  with  affright — 
that  I  now  reddened  with  anger — now  trembled 
with  indignation.  I  was  on  the  point  of  expressing 
to  this  hoary  revolutionist  the  loathing  with  which 
he  inspired  me,  when  the  thought  arose  that  I  might 
thus  do  injury  to  my  husband,  against  whom  this 
execrable  man  shows  inveterate  enmity ;  then  I  re- 
pressed my  resentment  in  silence.  Upon  his  desiring 
to  be  left  alone  with  my  little  ones,  I  felt  again 
the  spirit  of  resistance  rising  within  me ;  but  such 
ferocity  appeared  in  his  looks  that  I  was  constrained 
to  obey. 

"  Having  locked  up  Hortense  in  a  closet,  he  com- 
menced by  questioning  her  brother.  When  my 


66  MEMOIRS    OF 

daughter's  turn  came,  oh,  now  I  trembled  on  perceiv- 
ing the  length  to  which  her  examination  extended ! 
for  our  inquisitor  had  not  failed  to  remark  in  the  dear 
girl  an  acuteness  and  penetration  far  beyond  her 
years.  After  sounding  them  as  to  our  conversations, 
our  opinions,  the  visits  and  letters  which  we  received, 
and  especially  on  the  actions  which  they  might  have 
witnessed,  he  broached  the  capital  question,  namely, 
the  discourse  held  with  their  father  in  prison.  My 
children,  each  in  character,  answered  excellently 
well,  and  spite  the  subtlety  of  the  wretch,  who  wished 
to  find  guilt,  the  sound  understanding  of  my  son  and 
the  intelligent  address  of  his  sister  disconcerted,  if 
they  were  not  able  to  confound,  the  knavery.  What 
consequences  will  they  extort  from  an  examination 
Bucli  as  truth  dictates  to  lips  that  are  guileless  1  It 
can  redound  only  to  the  triumph  of  innocence  and 
the  shame  of  its  accusers  :  will  they  dare  to  produce 
it,  if  thence  arise  this  twofold  check  ? 

"  Still  the  same  silence  concerning  the  unfortunate 
Nevil.  Notwithstanding  my  repugnance,  I  have  de- 
cided on  requesting  an  audience  of  a  member  of  the 
committee  of  General  Safety,  Louis  (deputy  of  the 
Lower  Rhine),  of  whom  report  speaks  less  unfavour- 
ably than  of  his  colleagues.  Your  nephew  has  ex- 
pressly prohibited  me  from  seeing  these  men,  whom 
he  regards  as  the  assassins  of  our  country ;  but  he 
has  not  forbidden  me  to  solicit  from  gratitude,  and  in 
favour  of  friendship.  Had  he  done  so,  I  could  almost 
have  dared  to  disobey  the  injunction.  I  hold  the 
ungrateful  in  horror,  and  certainly  never  shall  in- 
crease their  number." 

Thus  we  have  already  found,  on  other  occasions, 
that  amid  her  own  afflictions  the  "amiable  Jose- 
phine" forgot  not  the  sorrows  of  others.  The  audi- 
ence which,  with  charitable  casuistry,  she  endeav- 
ours to  exclude  from  her  husband's  general  prohi- 
bition, was  actually  solicited  and  obtained  a  few 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  67 

days  after,  as  we  learn  from  the  following  graphic 
epistle : — 

Madame  de  Beauhclrnais,  to  her  Aunt. 

"  Louis,  the  deputy  of  the  Lower  Rhine,  whom  I 
just  saw  for  a  moment,  appeared  to  me  not  without 
some  good,  and  I  believe  him  not  insensible.  The 
accents  of  pity  seem  to  find  his  heart  not  inaccessible. 
He  does  not  repel  misfortune,  nor  add  bitterness  to 
the  reproaches  wrung  from  grief ;  but  those  qualities 
precisely  which  recommend  him  to  the  oppressed 
become  vices  and  lessen  his  influence  with  the 
oppressors.  He  enjoys  little  credit ;  and,  after  hear- 
ing my  petition,  could  do  nothing  therein  directly, 
but  introduced  me  to  his  colleague,  who  is  charged 
with  the  police  of  the  prisons.  The  latter,  with 
malice  in  his  look,  and  mockery  on  his  tongue, 
complimented  me  ironically  upon  the  interest  which 
I  expressed  in  Nevil's  fate.  'The  cordwainer,'  said 
the  ruffian, '  is  a  vigorous  and  handsome  youth  :  it  is 
quite  as  it  should  be  for  him  to  be  protected  by  a 
woman  who  is  young  and  handsome  also.  If  she 
now  manifest  sensibility,  the  time  may  come  when 
he  will  be  able  to  show  his  gratitude.  As  to  the 
matter  in  hand,  however,  his  examination  being  fin- 
ished, his  affair  is  no  longer  a  concern  of  mine. — 
You  must  therefore  transport  yourself  into  the  office 
of  citizen  Prosper  Sigas,  who,  if  so  disposed,  may 
grant  you  the  required  permission.  You  may  say 
that  I  recommend  him  to  be  yielding,  for  it  is  really 
a  sin  to  keep  so  long  separated  from  each  other  two 
young  people  who  only  ask  to  be  reunited.' 

"  After  these  impertinencies,  to  which  I  deigned 
no  reply,  the  fellow  gave  me  a  card  to  the  functionary 
whom  he  had  just  named.  Oh !  as  for  this  latter,  he 
proved  quite  another  sort  of  person  :  to  my  delight 
and  great  astonishment,  I  found  in  M.  Sigas  all  the 
urbanity  desirable  in  a  man  of  the  world,  joined  to 


68  MEMOIRS    OF 

that  knowledge  of  detail  which  we  have  a  right  to 
expect  in  a  public  officer.  He  informed  me,  that 
notwithstanding  a  first  examination,  citizen  Nevil 
still  remained  in  the  depot  of  the  committee  of  Gen- 
eral Security.  'As  it  is  supposed,'  continued  my 
informant,  '  that  he  has  disclosures  to  make,  it  has 
been  judged  fit  to  place  him  there,  that  he  may  be 
forthcoming  when  wanted.  I  am  sorry  for  it,  first 
on  his  own  account,  and  next  on  yours,  madam, 
whose  interest  he  appears  so  fortunate  as  to  have 
excited.  There  is  your  permission  to  communicate 
with  him ;  you  will  observe  that  it  authorizes  these 
communications  only  in  presence  of  a  witness  ;  but 
this  postscript  which  I  add  gives  the  power  to  render 
the  witness  invisible  if  circumstances  permit ;  or,  if 
not,  makes  him  blind  and  deaf.'  Avow,  my  beloved 
aunt,  that  'though  now  misplaced,  it  would  not  be 
easy  to  find  a  more  amiable  personage  than  M.  Pros- 
per Sigas. 

"  From  the  offices  of  the  committee  I  descended  to 
the  Hotel  de  Brionne,  under  the  gate  of  which  the 
depot  is  situated.  You  will  have  difficulty  in  believ- 
ing, that  neglect,  or  rather  atrocity,  could  be  carried 
so  far  as  to  establish  this  depot  in  a  subterranean 
passage,  narrow,  dark,  receiving  through  grated  loop- 
holes a  struggling  and  doubtful  light,  and  which,  in 
close  contact  with  a  public  sewer,  has,  upon  the 
roof,  the  channels  of  wells  constantly  in  use.  In 
this  damp,  gloomy,  and  infected  hole  are  to  be  found, 
by  tens  and  twelves,  huddled  into  spaces  of  fifteen 
feet  square,  captives  unknown  to  each  other,  and 
without  other  bed  than  a  few  boards  raised  some 
thirty  inches  from  the  floor,  spreading  mutual  infec- 
tion from  their  bodies,  while  they  envenom  the  evils 
of  their  minds  by  dreadful  confidences.  Here  groaned 
Nevil,  when,  to  his  great  astonishment,  he  was  called 
out,  and  recognised  me  with  lively  satisfaction.  It 
is  quite  true  that  he  has  been  examined,  but  less  upon 
what  concerns  my  husband  than  upon  what  passed 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  69 

at  the  Luxembourg.  As  nothing,  in  fact,  took  place 
there,  it  thence  resulted  that  questions  were  reite- 
rated, while  the  replies  were  necessarily  few  and  un- 
satisfactory. He  is  prepared  for  new  trials." 

Just  as  there  occur  pauses  in  the  hurricane,  there 
seems  about  this  time  to  have  ensued  a  brief  cessa- 
tion from  the  full  severity  of  persecution  in  the  do- 
mestic drama,  the  evolution  of  which,  amid  the  grand 
national  tragedy,  it  is  our  duty  to  trace.  Beauharnais 
was  permitted  a  little  more  liberty,  and  communica- 
tion with  his  family  was  again  allowed.  This  com- 
parative calm  might  be  attributed  to  some  partial 
cause,  and  confined  to  the  narrow  circle  of  the  pres- 
ent history,  were  it  not  found  in  a  greater  or  less 
degree  to  have  extended  over  the  whole  of  the  deso- 
lated expanse  of  republicanism.  Under  the  pros* 
pect  of  his  decreasing  popularity,  Robespierre  essayed 
various  methods  of  regaining  his  ascendency  over 
the  spirits,  for  his  empire  over  the  bodies  of  his 
countrymen  remained  undiminished  almost  to  the 
last  hour  of  his  fatal  existence.  Among  the  plans 
by  which  he  thus  endeavoured  to  deceive  was  one 
foreign  to  his  nature, — an  appearance  of  leaning 
towards  humanity.  He  encouraged  the  belief  of 
discussions  with  his  adherents  on  a  change  of  sys- 
tem, and  writings  were  even  published  under  the  eye, 
it  was  said,  of  the  revolutionary  tribunal,  deprecating 
the  severities  which  it  was  alleged  circumstances 
had  rendered  necessary.  All  this  appears  to  have 
been  either  a  lure  to  induce  individuals  to  commit 
themselves  by  encouraging  an  expression  of  opinion, 
or  a  mere  tentative  on  the  endurance  of  the  nation ; 
for  the  daily  sacrifice  of  victims  by  the  guillotine  still 
continued,  though  with  somewhat  less  parade  of 
triumphant  wickedness  :  the  people,  instead  of  ap- 
plauding, had  begun  to  look  upon  these  orgies  with 
sullen  and  ominous  discontent.  The  device  took 
for  a  space,  and  that  it  deceived  Josephine  among 


70  MEMOIRS    OF 

others  appears  from  the  following  letter  to  her  hus- 
band, whose  hours  of  captivity  she  imagined  would 
be  lightened  by  those  hopes  which  affection  whis- 
pered might  be  real,  however  stern  experience  might 
question  the  sweet  illusion: — 

"  Dare  I  believe  it  true  "?  Does  Heaven  relent,  or 
can  it  be  that  the  government,  now  more  secure, 
sets  a  term  to  severity,  and  replaces  terror  by  clem- 
ency 1  For  two  days  precautions  and  rigour  have 
been  relaxed  to  such  an  extent  as  to  permit  external 
communications  after  a  very  slight  scrutiny.  The 
report  gains  belief  that  St.  Just  has  had  a  very 
warm  altercation  with  several  members  of  the  com- 
mittee :  the  former  is  said  to  be  desirous  of  chang- 
ing the  system  ;  his  policy,  weary  of  punishment,  is 
violently  opposed  to  that  of  some  of  his  colleagues. 
St.  Just  is  a  young  man  of  that  rare  merit,  found  but 
once  in  twenty  years ;  and  thousands  deplore  the 
fatality  which  has  dragged  him  forward  in  a  career 
as  dangerous  as  it  is  cruel.  At  the  same  time,  no- 
thing can  be  more  astonishing  than  to  behold  Robes- 
pierre returning  to  sentiments  of  humanity.  He 
who,  after  a  long  course  of  wandering,  dared  to  pro- 
claim a  God  in  the  very  face  of  impiety,  cannot  bear 
a  heart  altogether  abandoned. 

"  It  is  said,  that  in  consequence  of  this  quarrel, 
which  does  him  so  much  honour,  he  has  been  ex- 
pelled from  all  the  committees,  thus  throwing  upon 
his  colleagues  all  the  odium  of  a  sanguinary  admin- 
istration. But  the  influence  of  this  event  has  not 
been  lost  either  upon  those  who  hope  or  those  who 
suffer.  Here  we  thence  experienced  a  joy  which 
partook  as  much  of  surprise  as  of  enthusiasm.  By 
little  and  little  these  first  transports  calmed,  and  an 
unwonted  security,  more  tranquil,  but  not  less  pleas- 
ing, succeeded.  Do  not  you  also,  my  friend,  partici- 
pate in  these  hopes  ?  mine  will  be  more  lively  and 
unalloyed  if  you  approve. 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  71 

"The  appearance  of  a  pamphlet  by  Desmoulins 
is  announced  as  an  event ;  as  perhaps  you  already 
know.  It  is  said,  that  under  the  transparent  allegory 
of  the  court  of  Tiberius,  he  paints  the  cruelties  of 
our  own  time.  This  is  being  very  bold ;  but  it  is 
added  that  he  wrote  to  the  dictation  of  Robespierre  : 
in  such  case  his  temerity  is  not  dangerous.  Two 
copies  were  sent  to  our  hotel,  and  one  goes  for  my 
dear  Alexander.  May  it  be  the  cause  of  your  passing 
i  good  night !" 

The  affections,  says  Shakspeare,  are  badreasoners ; 
and  in  the  letter  above  we  detect  a  singular  instance 
of  their  sophistry.  Probably,  before  perusing  it,  the 
reader  could  not  have  supposed  a  single  virtuous 
action  in  the  dark  career  of  Robespierre.  Yet,  with 
an  amiable  anxiety  to  discover  in  the  past  some 
encouragement  for  the  hopes  which  she  wished  to 
cherish  for  the  future,  has  Josephine  selected  the 
only  redeeming  page  in  that  dismal  history.  But, 
alas  !  how  far  from  the  witnessing  of  a  good  con- 
fession were  the  unhallowed  orgies  to  which  she 
alludes.  Well  might  a  celebrated  living  writer  ex- 
claim, that  the  preceding  atheism  was  preferable  to 
the  religion  of  Robespierre.  But  in  the  men  from 
whom  she  fondly  looked  for  liberty  to  her  husband 
and  security  to  her  children,  Josephine  determined 
to  feign,  if  she  could  not  find,  something  good,  almost 
in  the  disposition  with  which  the  ploughman-bard 
addresses  the  great  adversary : 

O,  wad  ye  tak  a  thought,  an'  men', 

Ye  aiblins  might— I  dinna  ken- 
Still  hae  a  stake ; 

I'm  wae  to  think  upo'  yon  den, 
E'en  for  your  sake ! 

Between  the  statements  of  this  letter,  too,  and  the 
usual  accounts  of  the  Revolution,  we  discover  a  dis- 
crepancy as  to  date.  In  the  latter,  Desmoulins  is 
said  to  have  been  condemned  and  to  have  suffered 


72  MEMOIRS    OF 

with  Danton.  But  the  execution  of  that  triumvir 
took  place  prior  to  Robespierre's  impious  acknow- 
ledgment ;  while  Desmoulins  appears,  from  Jose- 
phine's account,  to  have  been,  not  only  alive,  but  in 
favour,  subsequently  to  the  re-establishment  of  deism. 
It  is  most  probable,  therefore,  that  he  perished,  not 
as  the  associate  of  Danton,  but  at  an  after-period, 
— one  of  the  daily  victims  to  the  jealousy  of  the 
tyrant,  who  decimated  his  adherents  till  he  himself 
fell  at  last,  isolated,  and  without  support.  The  fol- 
lowing is  De  Beauharnais's  reply  to  his  wife's  com- 
munication, and  shows  how  clearly  he  comprehended 
both  the  men  and  their  devices  : — 

Vicomte  de  Beauharnais,  to  Josephine. 

"  My  poor  friend,  what  an  error  is  thine  !  Hope 
deludes  you ;  but  in  the  times  wherein  we  live  hope 
disappoints  and  betrays.  I  have  read  with  attention 
the  work  of  Desmoulins :  it  is  the  production  of  an 
honest  man,  but  a  dupe.  He  wrote,  you  say,  to  the 
dictation  of  Robespierre :  it  is  probable ;  but  after 
having  urged  him  thus  far,  the  tyrant  will  sacrifice 
him.  I  know  that  determined  man:  he  will  not 
retreat  before  any  difficulty ;  and,  to  secure  the  tri- 
umph of  his  detestable  system,  he  will  even,  if  need 
be,  play  the  part  of  a  man  of  feeling.  Robespierre, 
in  the  conviction  of  his  pride,  believes  himself  called 
to  regenerate  France  ;  and,  as  his  views  are  short- 
sighted, and  his  heart  cold,  he  conceives  of  radical 
regeneration  only  as  a  washing  in  blood.  It  is  the 
easiest  mode  of  reform,  for  the  victims  are  penned, 
and  the  butcher  has  merely  to  extend  his  hand,  and 
drag  them  to  the  slaughterhouse.  Some,  however, 
before  expiring,  had  raised  a  cry  of  lamentation,  and 
this  note  the  credulous  Camille  is  employed  to 
repeat,  in  order  to  try  conclusions  with  opinion. — 
Whatever  may  be  his  object,  it  will  incur  opposition, 
which  will  be  wrested  by  the  tvrant  into  a  r-anse  fo>- 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  73 

the  sacrifice  of  new  victims.    Such  is  the  grand  out- 
line of  his  policy. 

"I  grieve,  my  dear  Josephine,  to  destroy  your 
heart's  illusion ;  but  how  can  I  entertain  it,  who  have 
viewed  too  closely  the  mano3uvres  of  tyranny  1  When 
we  are  unable  to  oppose  to  despotism  a  power  capable 
of  crushing  despotism,  there  remains  but  one  pos- 
sibility of  resistance,  namely,  to  receive  its  inflictions 
with  a  virtue  which  may  cover  it  with  dishonour. 
Those  who  come  after  us  will  at  least  profit  by  our 
example,  and  the  legacy  of  the  proscribed  will  not 
be  lost  to  humanity." 

How  truly  her  husband  had  divined  the  purposes 
of  their  persecutors  was  but  too  soon  proved  to 
Madame  de  Beauharnais.  She  was  herself  arrested 
soon  after  the  alleged  conspiracy.  It  is,  indeed,  to 
be  wondered  at,  how  she  had  been  suffered  to  be  at 
large  after  the  vicomte's  imprisonment,  did  not  the 
circumstances  already  mentioned  explain  the  cause, 
— a  temporary  mitigation  of  cruelty,  only  that  it 
might  burst  forth  with  renewed  fierceness. 

Josephine,  to  her  Aunt. 

"  I  commence  this  letter  at  a  venture,  and  without 
knowing  if  it  will  reach  you.  On  Tuesday  last? 
Nevil's  mother  entered  my  apartment  with  an  air  of 
anxiety,  and  even  grief,  on  her  countenance.  My 
mind  reverted  to  her  son.  '  I  do  not  weep  for  him,' 
said  the  good  woman,  sobbing  aloud  as  she  spoke ; 
*  though  he  be  in  secret  confinement,  I  have  no  fears 
for  his  life ;  he  belongs  to  a  class  whose  members 
are  pardoned,  or  rather  overlooked ;  others  are  more 
exposed.' — '  Others  !'  Instantly  my  thoughts  were 
at  the  Luxembourg.  'Has  Alexander  been  called 
before  the  tribunal  V  exclaimed  I. — '  Be  comforted ; 
the  vicomte  is  well.'  I  could  then  think  of  no  one 
for  whom  to  feel  alarm.  The  kind-hearted  creature 
G 


74  MEMOIRS   OF  9 

proceeded,  with  many  precautions,  to  inform  me 
that  she  alluded  to  myself.  I  immediately  became 
tranquil.  After  having  trembled  for  all  that  we  love, 
my  God!  how  delightful  to  have  to  fear  only  for 
one's  self! 

"Yesterday  morning  I  received  an  anonymous 
letter,  advertising  me  of  danger.  I  could  have  fled ; 
but  whither  retire  without  compromising  my  hus- 
band ?  Decided  thus  to  await  the  storm,  I  sat  down 
with  my  children,  and  in  their  innocent  caresses 
'could  almost  have  forgotten  my  misfortunes,  if  their 
very  presence  had  not  more  forcibly  recalled  the 
absence  of  their  father.  Sleep  stole  them  from  my 
arms,  which  at  such  a  moment  folded  them,  as  if 
instinctively,  in  a  more  tender  embrace.  Alas !  the 
love  which  unites  a  mother  to  her  offspring  has  its 
superstitions  also ;  and  I  know  not  what  invincible 
presentiment  overcame  me  with  vague  terror. 
Judge,  if,  thus  left  quite  alone,  I  could  banish  this 
painful  sentiment.  Yet  Heaven  is  witness,  that  the 
three  cherished  beings  who  constitute  my  whole 
happiness  occasion  likewise  my  sole  pain.  How 
think  of  myself  when  they  are  threatened ! 

"  I  continued  plunged  in  these  reflections,  when  a 
loud  knocking  was  heard  at  the  outer  door  of  the 
house.  I  perceived  that  my  hour  was  come,  and, 
finding  the  requisite  courage  in  the  very  conscious- 
ness that  the  blow  was  inevitable,  I  resigned  myself 
to  endurance.  While  the  tumult  continued  increas- 
ing, I  passed  into  my  children's  apartment;  they 
slept !  and  their  peaceful  slumber,  contrasted  with 
their  mother's  trouble,  made  me  weep.  I  impressed 
upon  my  daughter's  forehead,  alas !  perhaps  my  last 
kiss ;  she  felt  the  maternal  tears,  and,  though  still 
asleep,  clasped  her  arms  round  my  neck,  whispering, 
in  broken  murmurs,  '  Come  to  bed,  fear  nothing ; 
they  shall  not  take  you  away  this  night.  I  have 
prayed  to  God  for  you.' 

"  Meanwhile,  a  crowd  had  entered  my  sitting-room, 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  75 

and  there,  at  the  head  of  ferocious  and  armed  men, 
I  found  the  same  president  already  named,  whom 
very  weakness  renders  inhuman,  and  whose  sloth 
favours  his  prepossessions  against  the  accused. 
These  prejudices,  so  far  as  concerned  me,  were 
deemed  by  him  sufficient  warranty  for  my  arres.t; 
without  examination,  as  without  probability,  I  saw 
that  he  firmly  believed  in  what  atrocious  ignorance 
has  termed  the  conspiracy  of  the  Luxembourg.  I 
spare  you  needless  detaife ;  already  have  I  been 
forced  to  impart  too  many  sad  ones.  Let  it  suffice 
to  know,  that  seals  being  placed  upon  every  article 
with  lock  and  key,  I  was  conducted  to  the  house  of 
detention  at  the  Carmelites.  Oh,  what  shudderings 
came  over  me  on  crossing  that  threshold,  still  humid 
with  blood !  Ah !  my  beloved  aunt,  for  what  out- 
rages are  not  those  men  prepared  who  did  not  punish 
the  execrable  crimes  committed  here  !" 

The  prison  to  which  Josephine  had  been  thus 
conducted,  and  to  whose  horrid  reminiscences  she 
alludes  in  the  concluding  passage,  was  the  convent 
of  Carmelites,  so  well  known  in  the  massacres  of 
the  3d,  3d,  4th,  and  5th  of  September,  1793.  During 
"  these  days  of  agony,"  as  with  fearful  justice  they 
are  designated  by  St.  Heard,  nearly  eight  thousand 
individuals,  collected  in  the  various  prisons  of  Paris, 
were  deliberately  slaughtered  by  a  Jacobin  mob. 
The  executioners  here,  as  the  reader  is  well  aware, 
volunteers  in  the  work,  received  wages  of  the  Con- 
vention at  the  rate  of  sixteen  shillings  a-day,  with- 
out distinction  of  men  and  women,  for  they  were 
composed  of  both  sexes.  The  latter,  however, 
were  distinguished  from  the  former  by  one  little 
piece  of  refinement, — the  females  tucked  up  their 
sleeves  for  the  work  of  butchery !  The  massacre 
of  St.  Bartholomew  has  now  for  nearly  three  cen- 
turies served  to  point  each  declaimed  epigrammatic 
flippancy  on  the  evils  of  fanaticism;  but  why  is 


76  MEMOIRS   OF 

silence  kept  on  these  fiendish  saturnalia  of  popular 
license "?  Do  men  dare  to  lay  to  religion's  charge 
their  own  crimes,  perpetrated  under  her  sacred  name, 
while  they  dissemble  altogether,  or  blazon  into  mag- 
nanimous deeds,  the  outrages  which  they  commit 
under  the  abused  sanction  of  liberty  1  But  if,  as 
every  good  man  confesses,  that  is  not  religion  which 
is  iot  tolerant,  peaceful,  and  easy  to  be  entreated, 
so  that  is  not  real  freedom  which  is  not  subordina- 
tion,— subordination  to  the  laws,  and  to  lawful 
superiors. 

The  place  of  durance  allotted  to  the  unhappy  wife 
of  De  Beauharnais  had,  on  these  fatal  days,  been  the 
chief  scene  of  the  sufferings  of  the  clergy.  Some 
hundreds  of  that  order  were  poniarded  in  the  chapel 
of  the  convent,  or  had  their  brains  dashed  out  as 
they  knelt  before  the  altars.  To  this  hour  the  walls 
and  floor  are  stained  with  vast  "  gouts  of  blood ;" 
and  in  the  library  is  still  preserved  a  copy  of  the 
New  Testament  found  upon  the  corpse  of  one  of 
these  martyrs,  pierced  with  twenty-two  dagger 
thrusts,  and  purpled  in  every  page  with  a  hue  too 
easily  recognisable.  No  wonder,  then,  that  Jose- 
phine, torn  from  her  children,  trembling  for  her 
husband,  yet  still  bearing  up  under  the  pressure  of 
her  own  personal  fears,  should  at  last  feel  a  sicken- 
ing of  the  heart  on  entering  the  desecrated  precincts 
over  whose  entrance  might  well  seem  to  have  been 
placed  the  inscription  which  Dante  has  feigned  for 
the  infernal  doors : 

Lasciate  ogni  speranza  voi  chi  entrate  .'* 

In  truth,  among  the  numbers  at  that  time  in  a 
condition  nearly  similar,  it  is  difficult  to  imagine  a 
family  in  more  desolate  circumstances  than  that  of 

*  In  Milton's  imitation,— 

Hope  never  comes, 

That  comes  to  all. 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  77 

De  Beauharnais.  When  morning  broke  upon  "  the 
peaceful  slumber,"  which  a  few  hours  before  had 
been  watched  by  a  mother's  fond  regrets,  Eugene 
and  Hortense  awoke  alone  in  the  wide  solitude  of  a 
great  city.  Their  parents  in  different  prisons,  one 
of  which  was  inaccessible  and  the  other  unknown ; 
their  other  relatives  exiled  or  absent ;  they  found 
themselves  without  friend  or  adviser.  It  is  surpris- 
ing how  early  circumstances  so  trying  as  these  call 
forth  the  characters  of  the  sufferers.  In  the  present 
instance,  however,  it  is  less  wonderful  that  in  such 
an  age  they  should  have  displayed  exactly  the  same 
dispositions  as  marked  their  after-life,  since  Jose- 
phine's letters  have  already  shown  how  very  soon 
the  minds  of  her  children  had  given  forth  their  re- 
spective bias.  After  the  first  burst  of  affliction  on 
this  fatal  morning  had  somewhat  subsided,  our 
youthful  sufferers  began  to  consider  what  was  to  be 
done.  Hortense,  with  the  same  energetic  resolves 
as  long  after  animated  her  on  occasions  of  moment, 
when  her  prospects  were  far  different,  proposed  in- 
stantly to  set  out  for  the  Luxembourg,  and  demand 
to  be  admitted  into  their  father's  prison.  Eugene, 
with  a  caution  not  unworthy  of  the  boyhood  of  him 
who  conducted  the  retreat  from  the  Beresina,  calmly 
objected  to  the  impropriety  of  acting  in  a  way  which, 
without  benefiting  themselves,  should  opposition  be 
offered,  might  compromise  their  parents,  and  pro- 
posed advertising  their  aunt  at  Versailles  of  their 
new  misfortune.  Nevil's  mother  accordingly  under- 
took to  have  the  necessary  information  transmitted, 
and  before  night  Madame  Fanny  Beauharnais  had 
her  young  relatives  with  her  in  the  country.  This 
kindness  was  never  forgotten,  when  the  parties  could 
well  repay  the  obligations  of  their  youth ;  and  to  it 
Josephine  adverted,  in  the  affectionate  appellation 
of  second  mother,  under  which  she  afterward  usually 
spoke  of  her  aunt.  Thus  were  dispersed  the  mem- 
bers of  a  family  so  closely  united  by  affection;  and 
G  2 


78  MEMOIRS  of- 

fer three  of  whom  destinies  so  splendid  were  re- 
served. The  fate  which  a  few  weeks  later  overtook 
the  father  would  have  been  the  only  one  predicted 
by  a  contemporary  observer. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Outline  of  the  Revolutionary  Government — Josephine  ignorant  of  its 
true  Nature — Sources  of  her  Confidence — Her  Conduct  in  Prison — 
Letter  describing  her  Situation  and  Fellow-Captives—Letter  to  her 
Husband— Massacre  of  the  Priests— Affecting  Incident— Letter  in 
reply — Conclusion  of  the  History  of  Tommy — The  Noblesse — Letters 
to  her  Children — To  Hortense — To  Sigas — A  last  Interview — Execu- 
tion of  M.  de  Beauharnais — His  Letter  to  Josephine— Her  Distress — 
Letter  of  the  Dutchess  D'Aiguillon — Josephine  prepares  for  Death — 
Tale  of  Robespierre— Singular  Correspondence — Prediction — Queen 
of  France. 

THAT  the  reader  may  be  enabled  fully  to  appre- 
ciate the  danger  which  now  threatened  the  principal 
personages  of  the  narrative,  as  also  to  understand 
its  incidents,  a  brief  introspect  to  the  revolutionary 
administrations  and  tribunals  will  prove  useful. 

At  the  period  of  Josephine's  arrest,  the  machinery 
of  the  "  infernal  system," — the  "  rule  of  terror,"  as 
the  government  of  this  time  has  been  but  too  justly 
designated, — consisted  of  four  distinct  movements. 
Of  these,  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  that  of 
Public  Security,  and  the  Tribunal  of  the  Revolution 
were  public  and  recognised  authorities ;  the  fourth, 
the  Club  of  Paris,  with  its  affiliated  societies  of 
Jacobins  throughout  the  provinces,  existed  rather 
of  itself  than  as  authorized  by  the  state ;  or,  more 
correctly,  it  was  at  once  the  source  which  supplied 
and  the  strength  which  supported  the  others.  The 
first,  or  head  of  the  whole,  the  Committee  of  Public 
Safety,  exercised  a  most  despotic  and  secret  control 
over  all  other  authorities,  dictating  all  measures  to 
ih&  Convention — now  but  a  name — or  more  fre- 


THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  79 

quently  acting  without  consulting  even  the  forms  of 
republicanism.  This  court,  whose  deliberations 
were  private,  and  proceedings  supreme,  was  consti- 
tuted of  ten  or  twelve  members  indifferently,  ac- 
cording to  the  equality  of  influence  possessed  by 
several  of  the  leading  Jacobins  in  the  Convention. 
Re-elections  rendered  the  memberships  permanent 
in  that  sect;  though  successive  proscriptions  and 
periodical  retirement  made  individual  changes  fre- 
quent. The  Committee  of  Public  Safety  acted  in 
some  measure  as  the  dictator  of  revolutionary 
France,  being  only  so  much  the  more  formidable  to 
its  subjects,  that  it  consisted  of  many,  instead  of 
one  tyrant.  The  Committee  of  Public  Security 
may  be  considered  in  the  light  of  an  assistant  or  a 
subordinate  authority  to  the  preceding,  acting  in  the 
capacity  of  a  police  tribunal,  having  also  its  mem- 
bers selected  in  the  same  manner  from  the  most 
determined  revolutionists,  and  subject  to  similar 
changes.  These  two  assemblies  were  properly 
legislative  ;  the  executive  was  vested  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary Tribunal,  the  vilest,  probably,  and  the 
bloodiest  instrument  which  is  recorded  in  the  annals 
of  oppression.  When  we  speak  of  executive,  the 
expression  is  to  be  understood  as  applicable  only  to 
criminal  matters,  as  these  related  to  state  offences, 
or  to  attempts  which  could  by  any  means  be  con- 
strued as  counteracting  the  progress  of  revolutionary 
principles.  The  court  consisted  at  first  of  six 
judges,  whose  situations  were  permanent,  and  their 
functions  remunerated  by  a  fixed  salary.  To  these 
were  added  two  assistants  and  twelve  paid  jurymen, 
officials  also  of  the  state ;  consequently,  as  respected 
the  protection  of  the  accused,  the  appointment 
of  these  jurors  was  mere  mockery  For  the  more 
quick  despatch  of  their  bloody  work,  these  twenty 
executives  were  subsequently  separated  into  four 
sections,  each  armed  with  the  same  tremendous 
powers  as  the  parent  assembly.  It  has  been  well 


80  MEMOIRS   OF 

observed,  that  in  the  most  ferocious  and  unconstitu- 
tional authorities  of  either  ancient  or  modern  times, 
we  find  consistency  and  forbearance,  as  compared 
with  the  indiscriminate  slaughter  inflicted  by  the 
doom  of  the  Revolutionary  Tribunal.  The  Jacobin 
Club  of  Paris,  the  fourth  in  this  agency  of  crime, 
may  be  considered  as  composed  of  so  many  volun- 
tary informers,  who  hunted  out  and  denounced  the 
victims,  whom  the  three  former  fraternities  judged 
and  punished.  Every  city  and  town,  nay,  every 
village  in  France  had  also  its  club,  corresponding 
by  means  of  its  secretary  with  that  of  Paris,  taking 
upon  itself  the  administration  and  the  powers  of 
government,  in  examining,  accusing,  and  imprison- 
ing citizens  whom  its  members  had  cause,  interest, 
or  malice  in  suspecting.  These  clubs,  or  local  com- 
mittees, were  generally  composed  of  the  lowest  and 
most  ignorant  of  the  people  ;  while,  from  these 
very  defects,  they  obtained  the  more  influence  over 
their  deluded  countrymen,  who  thence  conceived 
that  the  lower  orders  must  necessarily  attain  due 
influence  in  a  state  whose  main  supporters  were 
chosen  from  the  rabble.  By  this  formidable  con- 
spiracy against  whatever  was  elevated  or  dignified, 
learned,  elegant,  or  noble,  the  slightest  whisper  of 
suspicion  could,  with  appalling  celerity,  be  conveyed 
to  the  capital  from  the  remotest  frontier, while  through 
the  same  channel  the  fiat  of  Robespierre  was  directed 
against  its  victim  with  a  surety  and  speed  which 
defied  concealment  or  escape. 

But  the  efficiency  of  even  this  terrible  ministry 
would  have  been  imperfect  without  the  "  Law  against 
suspected  Persons,"  framed,  as  an  appropriate  rule 
of  procedure  for  such  courts,  by  Merlin  de  Douay — 
a  law  which  could  be  met  on  the  part  of  the  accused 
by  no  legal  defence,  no  availing  challenge,  since  it 
was  indefinite  in  all  save  its  fatal  tendency.  Though 
pointed  expressly  against  those  who  miglit,  however 
distantly,  be  connected  with  the  aristocracy,  the  law 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  81 

of  suspicion  was  quickly  discovered  to  be  a  most 
prevailing  weapon,  wielded  for  whatever  purpose. — 
Chameleon-like,  it  assumed  hues  as  circumstances 
might  require,  and  ever  against  the  accused.  Did  a 
man  desire  to  live  prudently  retired  from  the  troubled 
scene  of  public  affairs  ?— he  was  accused  of  being 
suspected  of  disaffection  to  liberal,  that  is,  revolu- 
tionary, principles.  Was  an  individual  zealously  ac- 
tive in  what  was  termed  the  good  cause  1 — that,  pro- 
vided he  had  wealth,  furnished  no  protection  ;  his 
zeal  might  be  without  knowledge  ;  and  he  might  be 
accused  of  being  suspected  of  entertaining  notions 
not  exactly  in  accordance  with  those  of  the  repub- 
lic. In  short,  there  existed  no  security  against  sus- 
picion, for  the  penalty  could  be  inflicted  wheresoever 
it  was  thought  convenient  to  fix  the  mark.  At 
the  period  of  which  we  now  speak,  to  be  denounced 
was  sufficient, — the  revolutionary  committees  in- 
quired no  further :  even  the  slight  forms  by  which  at 
first  suspicion  had  undergone  something  like  inquiry 
were  dispensed  with  altogether.  The  lists  of 
names  and  descriptions  which  all  householders 
were  obliged  to  publish  outside,  of  the  inmates  with- 
in doors,  were  barely  perused,  and  designations 
pitched  upon  at  hazard.  Imprisonment,  deprivation 
of  rights,  confiscation  of  property,  and  civil  death 
were  the  immediate  consequences  of  denouncement. 
Execution  by  the  guillotine  generally  followed  ;  and 
with  so  little  ceremony  was  capital  punishment  dealt 
out  among  the  three  hundred  thousand  captives  who 
crowded  the  revolutionary  prisons,  in  which  the 
heads  of  the  Beauharnais  family  were  now  immured, 
that  each  morning,  regularly  as  the  sun  arose  upon 
a  land,  from  every  peopled  spot  of  whose  surface 
his  blessed  beams  were  polluted  by  exhalations  of 
blood,  crowds  were  hurried  to  death,  by  twenties 
and  thirties  on  the  same  sledge  !  Doubtless  these 
had  actually  been  tried  and  convicted  of  .being,  at 
least,  liable  to  suspicion  1 — will  be  the  natural  ques- 


82  MEMOIRS    OF 

tion  of  the  reader.  No !  they  were  taken  at  ran- 
dom ;  and  provided  the  daily  hecatomb  was  furnished, 
few  cared  to  inquire  of  what  individual  victims  it 
might  be  composed.  Such  was,  is,  and  ever  will  be 
government  by  any  populace  ;  and  such  were  the 
dangers  to  which  the  subject  of  these  Memoirs  lay 
now  exposed. 

It  was  Josephine's  misfortune,  in  the  first  instance, 
to  have  but  imperfectly  appreciated  the  real  state  of 
things,  regarding  as  scarcely  serious  the  individual 
circumstances  already  narrated.  Convinced  of.  her 
husband's  innocence  of  practising  against  the  gov- 
ernment, even  such  as  it  then  existed,  and  in  happy 
ignorance  of  the  supreme  demoralization  of  its  prin- 
ciples and  administrators,  she  could  not  believe  the 
latter  in  earnest,  until  their  devices  closed  but  too 
fatally  around.  Like  a  child  who  turns,  half-terri- 
fied, from  the  mask  which  it  knows  to  have  been 
assumed,  she  shrunk  from  the  sad  realities  of  impris- 
onment and  criminal  prosecution,  though  unable  to 
reconcile  them  with  her  own  conviction  of  the  illu- 
sions upon  which  they  were  attempted  to  be  based. 
"  What  a  pity,"  she  thus  writes  to  her  aunt,  "  that  I 
can  no  longer  indulge  my  disposition  to  laugh  at 
passing  events  ;  for,  apart  from  their  atrocious  as- 
pect, they  exhibit,  on  the  whole,  something  extremely 
ludicrous.  This  miserable  affair  of  the  conspiracy 
of  the  Luxembourg,  for  instance,  which  never  ex- 
isted, save  in  the  brain,  and  very  likely  in  the  profit- 
able speculations,  of  those  by  whom  the  whole  was 
got  up,  assumes  a  consistency  for  the  consequences 
of  which  I  have  just  reason  to  tremble." 

We  have  seen  the  troubles  and  anxieties  which 
overwhelmed  Madame  de  Beauharnais  on  her  hus- 
band's account,  and  might  perhaps  naturally  conclude, 
that,  in  captivity  herself,  these  would  be  painfully 
augmented.  But  this  would  not  be  a  just  inference ; 
on  the  contrary,  she  even  appears  to  have  recovered 
a  portion  of  her  former  tranquillity.  Hers,  however, 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  83 

was  not  that  casting  away  of  care  which  arises 
from  a  reckless  indifference  of  knowing  the  worst, 
too  common  in  such  condition,  and  painfully  char- 
acteristic of  this  particular  era ;  but  a  happy  confi- 
dence springing  from  the  calmness  of  an  unclouded 
spirit — the  serenity  of  a  mind  that  has  never  neg- 
lected duties  when  opportunities  served ;  and  which 
seeks,  under  all  circumstances,  occasion  of  being  use- 
ful to  others.  Delightful  privilege  of  a  conscience 
at  peace  with  itself,  and  in  charity  with  all  mankind ! 

Conscienza  Passicura, 
La  buona  compagnia  che  1'  uom  francheggia 
Sotto  1'  usbergo  del  sentirsi  pura  ! 

Her  heart,  devoted  to  benevolence,  appeared  to  chei- 
ish  only  one  regret  under  the  loss  of  liberty,  namely, 
that  the  four  walls  of  a  prison-house  circumscribed 
the  power  of  doing  go  od.  ID  her  own  words, "  I  now 
find  myself  gooc|/for  nothing,  since  I  cannot  move 
about  among  those  who  were  more  comfortless  still 
than  myself."  But  in  this  Josephine  was  unjust ; 
forgetting,  that  by  kindness  of  manner,  and  the  gen- 
tle charms  of  an  unvarying  cheerfulness  of  dispo- 
sition, she  poured  consolation  and  hope  into  many  a 
forlorn  and  anxious  bosom  shut  up  within  the  same 
narrow  precincts  with  herself.  "  An  enemy  to  all 
wrangling,"  we  quote  from  an  amiable  and  well-in- 
formed biographer,  "  detesting  political  disquisitions, 
she  lived  in  good  understanding  with  all  circles  of  her 
fellow-prisoners,  divided  as  they  were  in  opinion, 
and  disputing  among  themselves  with  a  bitterness 
which  was  ever  sure  to  be  allayed  where  Madame  de 
Beauharnais  could  obtain  a  hearing.  Benevolent 
towards  her  inferiors,  friendly  and  always  the  same 
with  her  equals,  polite  to  those  who  conceived  them- 
selves her  superiors,  she  conciliated  universal  affec- 
tion. In  prison,  as  afterward  upon  the  first  throne 
in  the  world,  she  was  beloved  by  all  classes,  because 
ever  found  to  occupy  the  station  which  best  became 
her.  The  sense  of  propriety  i  indeed,  seemed  in  her 


84  MEMOIRS    OF 

an  innate  knowledge  :  thus,  she  neither  experienced 
insolence  in  the  season  of  her  adversity ;  nor,  when 
empress,  made  others  feel  how  infinitely  her  own 
condition  was  above  theirs." 

It  is  pleasing  to  know  that  goodness  here  brought 
its  reward.  The  following  letter  displays  Jose- 
phine's situation,  with  a  playful  attempt  at  philoso- 
phizing on  character,  which  would  amuse  under  any 
circumstances,  but,  as  written  from  a  prison,  is  de- 
aghtful.  Who  Madame  Parker  was  we  have  vainly 
endeavoured  to  discover ;  nor  is  any  thing  known  be- 
yond the  fact  of  her  having  been  French,  and  mar- 
ried to  an  Englishman.  In  all  probability,  the  lady 
died  early,  since  nothing  shows  that  the  correspond- 
ence was  subsequently  continued. 

Josephine*,  to  Madame  Parker,  in  London. 

"  Let  me  place  before  you,  my  dear  friend,  two  con- 
trasts, which  we  but  seldom  remark,  though  they 
present  themselves  every  day;  and  of  which  I  have 
a  fancy  to  talk  with  you  for  a  moment.  Good  news, 
last  evening,  of  my  children — to-day,  hopes  in  my 
husband's  affairs  :  what  more  favourable  to  appetite, 
to  sleep,  and  to  good-humour  1  Thus,  mine  is  not 
so  very  sour  ;  and  that  it  may  become  altogether 
agreeable,  I  set  about  writing  to  you. 

You  are  young,  rich,  handsome,  witty,  adored  by 
an  amiable  husband,  and  courted  by  a  circle  where 
your  talents  are  applauded  and  enjoyed :  why,  then, 
are  you  not  happy  1  I  possess  little  fortune,  still 
less  beauty,  no  pretensions,  few  hopes  t  how  then 
am  I  able  to  taste  some  felicity?  Grave  philoso- 
phers might  perhaps  enter  into  lengthy  discussion, 
in  order  to  resolve  the  question.  The  problem  would 
become  still  more  complicated  were  I  to  add, — the 
one  lives  in  the  land  of  independence  and  of  liberty 
—yet  she  weeps  :  the  other  vegetates  in  a  region  of 
servitude — and,  though  in  prison,  is  yet  tranquil. — 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  85 

To  explain  this  diversity,  by  difference  of  characters 
is  rather  to  postpone  the  explanation  than  to  re- 
move the  difficulty;  for  whence  arises  the  difference 
of  characters? 

"  My  dear  Clara  obeys  the  impulse  of  her  heart 
when  she  recounts  to  me  sorrows  which  she  exagge- 
rates :  I,  on  my  part,  yield  to  the  dictates  of  mine  while 
entertaining  her  with  what  another  would  call  pains, 
but  which  two  days  of  slight  hope,  springing  up  once 
more  in  my  breast,  has  transformed  into  pleasures 

"  Know  you,  my  beloved  friend,  what  it  is  that, 
in  a  place  such  as  this,  creates  unceasingly  those 
pleasures  which  are  almost  always  soothing,  some- 
times even  positive  happiness  1 — two  trifling  com- 
binations which  concurred  fortuitously,  namely,  a 
parody  of  life  in  the  great  world,  and  the  simplicity 
of  private  retirement.  This  demands  explanation 

"In  the  commencement  of  things  that  be,  this 
establishment,  being  occupied  by  great  lords,  had 
beheld  transferred  within  its  bolts  and  bars  the  whole 
majesty  of  the  salons  of  the  ancient  court,  and 
consequently  all  its  dulness  and  languor.  An  aug- 
mentation of  inhabitants  introduced  increase  of 
visits,  private  assemblies,  etiquette,  and  all  the  cere- 
monial invented  to  conceal  the  disgust  experienced 
by  greatness.  At  the  sight  of  this  petty  pomp, — this 
dignity  in  miniature, — the  new  comers  conceived  the 
idea  of  oversetting  the  whole  by  exposing  it  to  ridi- 
cule. To  succeed  here  nothing  was  wanted  beyond 
exaggeration.  Henceforth  a  gravity  of  deportment 
attached  to  the  most  indifferent  actions;  they  ac- 
costed each  other  with  all  the  formalities  of  the 
herald's  office,  and  bade  good  morning  as  if  declaim- 
ing from  the  rostrum ;  the  tone  ascending  gradually 
to  the  diapason,  so  to  speak,  of  lofty  breeding,  they 
contrived  to  give  to  everything  that  is  most  common 
in  domestic  life  the  importance  of  romance  and  the 
emphasis  of  tragedy.  All  this  assuming  pretension 
would  long  before  have  been  ridiculous,  even  at  Ver- 
H 


86  MEMOIRS    OF 

sailles,  or  in  the  Fauxbourg  St.  Germain ;  judge,  then, 
what  must  have  been  its  extravagant  effect  in  the 
narrow  circuit  and  amid  the  miserable  appliances  of 
a  prison. 

"  Some  good  spirits  there  were  who  readily  per- 
ceived that,  to  banish  the  mortal  dulness  which  had 
not  failed  to  follow  in  the  train  of  these  absurdities, 
it  was  only  required  to  call  in  the  aid  of  reason — 
but  reason,  gentle  and  conciliating,  accompanied  by 
intelligence,  and  guided  by  good  taste,  whence  might 
arise  modesty,  with  simplicity  of  manners  and  in- 
tercourse. Buckram  and  lace,  however,  uniting 
their  forces  against  the  new  revolution,  maintained 
the  combat  for  some  time  with  advantage,  and 
yielded  not  till  after  a  stiff  defence.  Their  general 
defeat  was  just  about  taking  place  when  I  became 
an  inmate.  The  greatest  freedom  has  since  suc- 
ceeded to  the  slavery  of  etiquette.  Now  we  trouble 
our  heads  very  little  with  observances,  but  are  very 
solicitous  about  kind  actions.  We  feel,  that  in  order 
to  find  people  amiable  it  is  necessary  to  take  some 
pains  to  be  so  one's  self.  Each  makes  some  conces- 
sions of  individual  tastes  to  those  of  our  companions 
in  misfortune ;  we  enter  into  each  other's  views,  or 
oppose  them  with  gentleness,  instead  of  contending 
with  fury.  Some  honoured  names  and  lofty  titles 
continue  to  receive  the  respect  established  by  usage ; 
but  the  homage  of  the  mind  is  given  to  social  quali- 
ties, to  the  talents  which  profit  our  society,  and  to 
the  virtues  which  serve  us  for  models.  It  needs  not 
to  inquire  if  those  to  whom  there  remained  nothing 
save  pretensions  treat  as  revolutionists  the  inno- 
vators for  whom  merit  has  acquired  rights. 

"  Such  is  now  the  state  of  minds  here.  Among 
the  hundred  and  sixty  captives  composing  our  estab- 
lishment, five  or  six  private  societies  have  been 
formed  through  resemblance  of  individual  opinions 
and  character.  Some  others  there  are,  still  more 
closely  associated  by  the  most«tender  affections,  and 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  87 

these,  isolated  and  silent,  mix  little  with  the  pleas- 
ures of  the  rest,  which  they  never  disturb.  As  for 
me,  independently  of  a  number  of  acquaintances 
and  friends  whom  I  have  recovered,  I  see  every- 
body and  every  where  meet  with  hearts  to  console 
and  misfortunes  in  which  to  sympathize.  This 
reminds  me  that  you,  my  dear  Clara,  believe  your- 
self to  be  among  the  unfortunate,  and  under  that 
title  have  a  right  to  what  I  lavish  upon  others.  To- 
day, however,  you  shall  have  no  consolation  beyond 
the  ceitaincy  of  an  approaching  melioration  in  my 
destiny.  Is  not  that  sufficient  to  render  yours 
happy,  at  least  for  some  moments  ?  Need  I  assure 
you  of  my  participation  in  your  afflictions,  imaginary 
though  they  be1?  and  know  you  not,  that  while  you 
suffer  I  suffer  also  I  The  greatest  of  all  misfortunes 
is  to  doubt  that  which  we  love  to  think  true,  and 
such  sorrow  at  least  we  shall  never  experience,  so 
far  as  depends  upon  each  other.  Adieu,  my  friend. 
Courage!  Must  that  word  be  pronounced  by  her 
who  languishes  in  a  prison  ]  Ought  she  not  rather 
to  preserve  for  herself  the  exhortations  which  she 
sends  to  you  ]  My  children  are  well,— De  Beauhar- 
nais's  affair  assumes  a  more  favourable  turn, — why, 
then,  should  my  fortitude  fail  1  Once  more,  adieu." 

Happy  had  it  been  for  France  if  the  grand  revo- 
lution without,  had  been  conducted  on  the  same 
principles  of  kindness  and  forbearance  as  directed 
the  reformation  within,  the  prison  of  the  Carmelites. 
The  delightful  descriptions  in  Josephine's  letter 
transport  us  indeed  to  a  scene  which  fills  the  mind 
with  a  pleasing  astonishment,  when  we  think  that 
those  who  were  thus  intent  on  the  active  charities 
of  life  were  themselves  every  moment  exposed  to 
the  dread  of  a  public  execution,  and  from  the  win- 
dows of  their  prisonhouse,  might  daily  behold  their 
countrymen,  perhaps  relations,  dragged  ignomini- 
ously  to  the  block.  But  whatever  might  be  the  fears 


88  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  her  companions,  Josephine's  apprehensions  and 
hopes  were  wholly  independent  of  self,-— wholly 
fixed  upon  those  she  loved:  her  present  cares  were 
for  the  misery  around  her, — her  distant  thoughts  ' 
were  on  her  children  and  her  husband.  The  favour- 
able turn  in  the  vicomte's  affairs  arose  from  one  of 
those  vicissitudes,  or  rather  experiments,  frequent 
in  the  latter  days  of  Robespierre's  sway,  and  al- 
lowed correspondence  between  the  prisoner  in  the 
Luxembourg  and  the  captive  of  the  Carmelites. 
The  letters  were,  indeed,  subjected  to  inspection, 
but,  by  means  of  Nevil's  mother,  and  sometimes 
through  himself — for  he  had  now  recovered  his 
freedom — communications  passed  which  were  seen 
only  by  the  parties.  Madame  de  Beauharnais  anx- 
iously embraced  every  opportunity  of  transmitting 
to  her  husband  whatever  could  tend  either  to  inform 
him  of  the  situation  of  affairs,  or  beguile  the  lin- 
gering hours  of  captivity.  Among  the  epistles 
dedicated  to  the  latter  purpose  appears  the  following 
tragical  account  of  the  massacre  which  had  taken 
place  in  the  very  prison  which  she  herself  then 
inhabited. 

Josephine,  to  her  Husband. 

"  You  have  not  forgotten  the  unfortunate  village 
maiden  in  the  environs  of  Rouen,  who,  being  aban- 
doned by  her  lover,  became  insane,  and  wandered 
about  the  highways,  inquiring  of  every  traveller 
concerning  her  ungrateful  seducer.  The  good  Mar- 
sollier  caused  us  to  shed  many  tears  when  he  related 
some  years  ago  the  misfortunes  of  the  poor  forsaken 
maniac;  and  our  amiable  Dalayrac  has  rendered 
them  familiar  to  the  public  ear  by  verses  which  will 
not  soon  be  forgotten.  Well,  my  friend,  there  is  in 
this  house  a  youth  who,  with  even  greater  propriety 
than  Nina,  might  become  the  hero  of  a  drama.  He 
is  an  English  boy,  named  Tommy.  The  fatal  coa- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  89 

sequences  of  an  unfortunate  passion  have  often 
been  to  be  deplored,  which,  by  depriving  the  hapless 
sufferer  of  reason,  takes  away  all  feeling  of  sorrow; 
but  the  sentiment  of  gratitude  is  rarely  so  profound 
as  to  produce  the  same  effect.  The  wretched 
Tommy  is  a  touching  example  of  the  excess  of  an 
affection  of  which  much  is  said,  but  little  felt.  This 
history  struck  me  as  so  interesting  that  I  resolved 
to  send  you  the  relation.  Your  heart  will  appreciate 
the  simple  recital ;  and,  by  occupying  you  for  a  few 
minutes  with  the  sorrows  of  others,  I  shall  beguile 
you  from  your  own.  To  lament  over  our  species, 
to  give  tears  to  their  griefs,  is,  alas !  the  sole  dis- 
tinction vouchsafed  in  a  season  of  trial. 

"  A  respectable  priest  of  St.  Sulpice  had  conceived 
an  affection  for  Tommy,  and  bestowed  upon  him  the 
principles  of  a  Christian  education :  I  say  Christian, 
in  the  full  extent  of  the  word ;  for  the  worthy  Abbe 
Capdeville,  equally  tolerant  as  pious,  made  the  youth 
his  pupil  only,  nor  once  thought  of  rendering  him 
his  proselyte ;  persuaded  that  religion  in  a  pure  mind 
will  insinuate  itself  gently  by  example,  and  can  never 
be  prescribed  as  maxims.  Those  which  he  incul- 
cated upon  Tommy  were  drawn  from  a  universal 
charity,  of  which  he  exhibited  meanwhile  an  affect- 
ing example  in  his  own  practice.  A  witness  of  nu- 
merous benefactions,  distributed  with  not  less  kind- 
ness than  discernment,  Tommy  could  not  doubt  that 
the  first  foundation  of  religion  is  to  be  laid  in  charity. 
He  was  in  like  manner  convinced  that  indulgence  and 
toleration  must  have  been  ordained  by  God,  whom 
he  beheld  so  well  manifested  in  the  benevolent  abbe. 
This  priest  reserved  for  himself  nothing  beyond  the 
simplest  necessaries :  lavish  towards  others,  he  re- 
fused to  himself  whatever  could  not  be  regarded  as 
indispensable  at  an  age  so  advanced  as  his.  The 
calmness  and  placidity  of  his  countenance  testified 
that  his  heart  had  ever  been  tranquil.  Never  did  a 
shade  appear  on  his  visage,  save  when  he  found  it 


90  MEMOIRS    OF 

impossible  to  be  of  service  to  a  brother,  or  to  sooth 
the  remorse  of  a  guilty  conscience. 

"  Tommy,  gifted  with  quick  penetration  and  lively 
sensibility,  conceived  for  his  benefactor  an  attach- 
ment so  much  the  more  ardent  that  he  had  pre- 
viously never  known  any  one  to  love !  He  had  been 
deprived  of  a  mother's  tenderness  before  he  could 
feel  his  loss  ;  and  he  was  not  more  than  eight  years 
old  when  Providence  threw  him  in  the  way  of  this 
protecting  angel.  An  orphan,  forsaken  by  all  the 
world,  he  had  been  received,  brought  up,  and  edu- 
cated by  M.  Capdeville.  To  obey  the  latter  appeared 
to  him  so  delightful,  that  he  succeeded  in  all  things ; 
it  sufficed  that  his  father — for  so  the  boy  named  the 
good  priest — directed  him  to  do  any  thing,  in  which 
case  an  indefatigable  perseverance  enabled  him  to 
surmount  every  difficulty.  This  amiable  and  ex- 
cellent youth  displayed  a  remarkable  aptitude  for 
music.  His  voice,  harmonious,  though  not  brilliant, 
accorded  with  several  different  instruments;  and 
his  daily  progress  on  the  harp  pe  mitted  the  anticipa- 
tion that,  by-and-by,  he  would  be  able  to  impart  to 
others  what  he  himself  so  well  knew.  M.  Capde- 
ville, being  a  man  of  great  learning,  received  as 
pupils  the  children  of  several  distinguished  pro- 
fessors, who  in  turn  took  pleasure  in  teaching  the 
protege  of  their  friend.  Thus,  without  expending 
what  he  conceived  to  be  the  property  of  the  poor, 
the  worthy  man  found  means  of  procuring  the  best 
masters  for  his  dear  Tommy ;  and,  so  modest  him- 
self in  every  thing  personal,  he  yet  enjoyed  with 
pride  the  success  of  this  child  of  his' adoption.  Alas ! 
the  happiness  which  he  thus  experienced  was  des- 
tined to  be  of  short  duration ! 

"  The  consequences  of  the  fatal  10th  of  August 
crowded  the  prisons  with  almost  every  priest  w^ho 
had  not  taken  the  constitutional  oaths.  The  Abbe 
Capdeville,  persuaded  that  churchmen  ought  to  obey 
the  powers  that  be,  according  to  the  precepts  of  the 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  91 

gospel,  had  given  the  required  pledges,  and  sub- 
mitting, if  not  in  heart,  at  least  to  authority,  had 
consequently  no  reason  to  fear  any  measure  against 
himself.  But  how  abandon  the  venerable  Arch- 
bishop of  Aries,  his  diocesan  and  constant  patron  1 
In  consequence  of  this  devotedness,  the  revolu- 
tionists of  the  section,  who  had  seen,  and  wished  to 
see,  only  an  accomplice  in  a  grateful  friend,  pro- 
nounced his  imprisonment  in  the  Carmelites.  Here, 
some  days  afterward,  by  various  means,  and  after 
much  difficulty,  Tommy  contrived  to  join  his  bene- 
factor ;  for,  at  a  time  when  a  word,  a  look  even,  suf- 
ficed to  plunge  the  individual  into  a  dungeon,  the 
poor  youth  was  denied  the  privilege,  which  he  so- 
licited with  ardour,  of  serving  in  his  turn  the  old  man 
who  had  watched  over  his  childhood.  The  heart- 
less men  who  refused  for  some  time  his  request 
termed  their  denial  a  favour,  while  it  was  but  cruelty. 
One  of  the  members,  who  had  formerly  been  under 
obligations  to  M.  Capdeville,  at  length  obtained  an 
order,  and  Tommy,  to  his  inexpressible  joy,  was 
shut  up  with  his  benefactor. 

"  I  wish  to  spare  you,  my  friend,  the  description 
which  has  since  been  given  me  of  the  horrible  mas-< 
sacre  which  took  place  on  the  3d  of  September  in 
this  prison, — a  spot  for  ever  memorable  by  reason 
of  the  snblime  resignation  of  the  numerous  victims 
there  sacrificed.  The  chapel  was  particularly  selected 
by  the  murderers  as  the  scene  of  death  for  the  clergy. 
They  seemed  to  have  been  dragged  thither  in  order 
that  their  last  look  might  rest  upon  Him  who,  perse- 
cuted like  His  servants,  had  taught  them  to  forgive ; 
and  the  last  sighs  of  these  unfortunate  men  respired 
in  feeble  hymns  of  praise.  They  were  actually  pray- 
ing for  their  assassins  when  the  frantic  mob  burst 
into  the  sacred  place !  The  Archbishop  of  Aries, 
seated  in  a  chair  on  account  of  his  great  age,  was 
giving  his  last  benediction  to  his  kneeling  com- 
panions,— Capdeville,  on  his  knees  also,  was  reciting 


92  MEMOIRS   OF 

the  prayers  for  those  in  peril, — the  responses  within 
were  given  as  from  a  choir  of  martyrs,  and  without 
in  the  savage  vociferations  of  a  furious  crowd  eager 
to  shed  blood ! 

"  Tommy,  dreadfully  agitated,  traversed  the  whole 
building,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  stopping  in 
order  to  listen,  weeping  at  intervals,  and  uttering 
mournful  cries.  Some  neighbours,  whom  a  cour- 
ageous pity  had  imboldened  to  enter,  wished  to  save 
him,  and  favoured  his  escape  ;  but,  returning  to  his 
master,  or  rather  friend,  he  took  a  station  by  his  side, 
and  refused  to  be  separated  from  him.  The  ruffians 
having  forced  open  the  doors,  and  broken  the  win- 
dows, penetrated  by  several  points  at  once :  the 
pavement  of  the  chapel,  and  the  steps  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, were  speedily  inundated  with  blood.  Capde- 
ville,  struck  immediately  after  the  bishop,  fell  at  his 
feet,  and,  extending  a  mangled  hand  to  Tommy,  ex- 
pired as  he  looked  upon  him.  That  look  was  a  last 
blessing. 

"Already  the  poor  youth,  or  rather  child — for 
he  is  not  yet  sixteen — exhibited  unequivocal  symp- 
toms of  alienation  of  mind;  on  the  death  of  his 
friend  a  fixed  insanity  appeared.  The  unfortunate 
abbe,  who  had  knelt  apart  from  the  companions  of 
his  martyrdom,  having  been  engaged  in  officiating, 
had  fallen  with  his  head  supported  on  the  upper 
step  of  the  altar,  and  his  body  extended  across  the 
others;  the  left  hand  was  pressed  against  the  heart, 
and  the  right,  as  I  have  already  said,  extended 
towards  his  pupil.  The  blow  which  had  finally 
deprived  him  of  life  had  been  so  rapid  in  its  opera- 
tion, that  death  had  not  effaced  the  habitual  expres- 
sion of  benevolence  which  lightened  his  placid 
countenance.  He  seemed  to  smile  and  slumber:  by 
some  sudden  change  in  the  reasoning  facultie 
Tommy  became  convinced  that  his  friend  slep 
Instantly,  as  if  by  enchantment,  the  scene  of  slaugh 
ter  disappeared  from  before  his  vision;  he  knelt 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  93 

down  by  the  side  of  the  bleeding  corpse,  waiting  its 
awaking.  After  three  hours  of  watching,  and  as 
the  sun  sank  beneath  the  horizon,  Tommy  went  to 
seek  his  harp,  and  again  sat  down  beside  the  lemains 
of  his  friend,  playing  melancholy  airs,  in  order  to 
hasten  his  awaking,  which  appeared  to  him  to  be 
long  in  taking  place.  While  thus  employed,  sleep 
stole  over  his  own  frame,  and  the  charitable  hands 
which  removed  from  the  despoilers  the  bodies  of  the 
martyrs,  carried  away  Tommy,  and  laid  him  on  his 
bed.  There  he  remained  eight-and-forty  hours  in  a 
kind  of  lethargy,  whence,  however,  he  awoke,  with 
all  the  appearances  of  soundness  of  body  arid  mind. 
But,  if  health  had  been  restored,  reason  had  fled  for 
ever. 

"In  commiseration  of  his  pioufl  madness,  a  free 
asylum  has  been  granted  to  him  in  this  house,  where 
he  passes  the  day  in  silence  till  each  afternoon  at 
three  o'clock.  The  moment  that  hour  strikes,  Tom- 
my, who  ordinarily  walks  slowly,  runs  to  seek  his 
harp,  upon  which,  leaning  against  the  ruins  of  the 
altar  still  remaining  in  the  chapel,  he  plays  his 
friend's  favourite  airs.  The  expression  of  his  coun- 
tenance on  these  occasions  announces  hope;  he 
seems  to  expect  a  word  of  approbation  from  him 
whose  remembrance  he  cherishes ;  this  hope  and 
this  employment  continue  until  six  o'clock,  when  he 
leaves  off  abruptly,  saying,  lNot  yet ! — but  to-morrow 
he  will  speak  to  his  child.'  He  then  kneels  down, 
prays  fervently,  rises  with  a  sigh,  and  retires  softly 
upon  tiptoe,  that  he  may  not  disturb  the  imaginary 
repose  of  his  benefactor.  The  same  affecting  scene 
takes  place  day  after  day ;  and  during  the  intervals, 
the  poor  boy's  faculties  seem  completely  absorbed, 
till  the  fatal  hour  calls  forth  the  same  hopes,  des- 
tined for  ever  to  be  chilled  by  the  same  disappoint- 
ment. 

"  Though  a  prisoner  within  the  same  building,  I 
had  not  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  unfortunate 


94  MEMOIRS  OF 

youth.  I  have  just  for  the  first  time  looked  upon 
that  countenance  whereon  are  depicted  so  many 
griefs  and  virtues.  "  I  found  it  impossible  to  entertain 
you  with  anything  else  to-day.  Adieu,  then,  TM 
friend,  until  to-morrow  ;  but,  more  happy  than  Tom- 
my, I  am  certain  of  being  able  to  repeat  to  the  object 
of  my  solicitude  all  the  tenderness  with  which  he 
inspires  me." 

The  reader  will  doubtless  be  solicitous  to  know 
the  sequel  of  the  incident  so  feelingly  described 
above.  This  desire  cannot  be  more  pleasingly 
gratified  than  by  introducing  here  the  two  letters 
which  follow : 

Vicomte  de  jBeauharnais,  to  Josephine. 

"  Your  history,  my  beloved  friend,  is  extremely 
touching,  and  little  Tommy  very  interesting.  After 
having  read  your  letter  more  than  once  privately,  I 
communicated  it  to  our  circle,  and  each,  like  myself, 
praised,  as  he  deserves,  the  poor  victim  of  the  noblest 
of  all  sentiments, — that  is  to  say,  all  have  shed  tears 
over  his  misfortunes.  All  France  would  do  the 
same  were  the  circumstances  disclosed.  Ah,  how 
he  merits  to  be  known !  What  a  contrast  to  the 
crimes  of  the  age  !  But  the  epochs  of  the  greatest 
iniquities  are  likewise  the  eras  of  the  loftiest  virtue , 
and,  for  the  sake  of  example,  that  of  Tommy  ought 
not  to  remain  in  obscurity.  We  have  talents  here 
which  will  find  delight  in  holding  up  his  to  general 
admiration.  One  of  us  is  prepared  to  paint  the 
portrait  of  your  Tommy ;  another  will  dedicate  his 
literary  exertions  to  the  same  pious  purpose ;  anf 
this  little  monument,  offered  without  pretension  to  5 
public  not  naturally  insensible,  may,  perhaps,  lay  the 
foundation  of  the  orphan's  fortune. 

"  Foi  my  own  part,  I  shall  be  happy  to  contribute 
to  this  effect,  by  attaching  the  forsaken  youth  to  the 


tHE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  95 

fortunes  of  our  son.  Eugene  bears  in  his  heart  the 
germ  of  every  virtue ;  and  how  would  these  seeds  of 
goodness  be  ripened  into  activity  by  the  example  of 
one  who  had  carried  even  to  excess  the  affections 
of  attachment  and  gratitude  !  Do  not  lose  sight  of 
this  idea ;  it  will,  my  good  Josephine,  accord  with 
your  own  benevolent  inclinations ;  and,  should  it 
ever  be  realized,  we  shall  have  gained,  from  the 
most  painful  occurrences  of  our  life,  the  rarest  of 
all  monuments — the  most  affecting  of  all  recollec- 
tions. 

"  My  oppression  diminishes  daily ;  there  remains 
only  a  severe  cold,  which  has  fixed  upon  my  chest, 
through  the  perpetual  irritation  inseparable  from  my 
situation.  At  the  sight  of  the  doctor,  all  this  disap- 
pears ;  and  when  I  read  your  letters,  my  dear  Jose- 
phine, I  cannot  persuade  myself  but  that  I  am  happy ! 
When  we  shall  once  more  be  reunited,  my  happi- 
ness will  no  longer  be  an  illusion,  and  you  will  be  of 
the  same  mind,  for  you  will  feel  it  to  be  real." 

Josephine,  in  reply. 

"  For  once,  my  dear  friend,  you  must  give  me 
credit  as  a  soothsayer !  The  third  and  fourth  vol- 
umes of  the  *  Old  Cordelier'  have  begun  to  persuade 
you ;  but  what  say  you  to  the  work  itself  ?  I  hasten 
to  send  it  you.  Here,  we  fight  who  shall  have  it 
first,  and  divide  the  volume  into  fragments,  in  order 
to  read  it  by  morsels  ;  tears  accompany  the  reading, 
and  mutual  embraces  follow  on  the  close  ;  one-half 
cf  our  captives  have  given  orders  for  fetes,  country 
parties,  and  new  furniture.  To-day  Madame  de  S. 
sent  for  a  famous  jockey,  with  whom  she  has  con- 
cluded a  treaty  for  replenishing  her  stud ;  and  the 
old  Du  Merbion,  with  whom  you  may  recollect 
having  hunted  at  Rainey,  has  ordered  from  Scotland 
six  couples  of  terriers,  such  as  were  never  seen  in 
France.  In  short,  projectors  of  all  descriptions 


96  MEMOIRS    OF 

are  retained  by  the  month ;  and  when  we  do  get  out 
I  know  not  if  we  shall  find  a  morsel  of  food  I  Nevil's 
mother  participates  in  our  hopes  and  our  joys ; 
and  you,  my  dear  Alexander,  you  must  not  destroy 
them  with  a  cruel  foresight, — an  ill-founded  distrust, 
and  all  the  sinister  presentiments  inspired  by  too 
much  experience,  by  the  remembrance  of  a  home, 
and  the  aspect  of  a  prison.  Till  we  meet,  my  be- 
loved,  adieu ;  I  do  not  to-day  embrace  you  upon  cold 
paper :  for  I  hold  myself  in  reserve  soon  to  lavish 
upon  you  endearments  like  my  affection, — real. 

P.S.  I  have  written  to  our  aunt,  imparting  the 
happy  news.  I  wrote  also  to  our  children,  and  have 
informed  Eugene  of  a  companion  worthy  of  him. 
Tommy  consents  to  live  with  us,  but  stipulates  one 
express  condition, — namely,  that,  upon  the  second 
day  of  every  month,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, he  shall  be  permitted  to  come  here,  and,  by 
the  harmony  of  his  notes,  charm  the  dreams  of  his- 
sleeping  friend  during  the  whole  continuance  of  the 
Revolution  J  Poor  Tommy!  who  would  not  be 
moved  by  a  delirium  so  affecting  ]" 

What  an  amiable  contrast  is  presented  in  these 
letters  between  the  Beauharnais  family  and  their 
fellow-captives.  With  the  execution  of  their  prince 
fresh  in  memory — their  own  imprisonment,  a  posi- 
tive evil — the  ruin  of  their  names  and  lineage  in 
prospect — the  noblesse  of  France  could  yet  be  con- 
cerned about  horses  and  dogs,  grooms,  cooks,  and 
upholsterers !  Truly,  the  picture  is  at  once  ludi- 
crous and  mournful.  What  would  the  country  have 
gained  in  moral  dignity,  even  could  her  virtuous 
citizens  have  then  shaken  off  the  coarse  and  cruel 
despotism  which  oppressed  them,  to  reinstate  such 
imbecility  in  its  worthless  folly?  The  unimpas- 
sioned  and,  as  it  were,  accidental  view  of  its  mem- 
bers which  these  letters  present  but  too  strongly 
confirms  the  truth  of  the  picture  afterward  drawn 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  97 

of  the  emigration,  or  nobility  of  the  old  regime — 
"  that  adversity  had  taught  them  no  wisdom,"  while 
we  know,  from  our  own  experience,  "that  pros- 
perity could  not  inspire  them  with  moderation." 
But  let  us  turn  for  a  moment  to  Josephine  and  her 
excellent  husband,  contriving,  amid  their  own  mis- 
fortunes, how  they  might  alleviate  the  woes  of 
others,  and  amid  the  anticipations  of  future  happi- 
ness, placing,  as  one  of  the  principal  ingredients  of 
enjoyment,  the  reflection  of  having  elicited  good 
from  their  severest  trial !  Alas,  that  intentions  such 
as  these  should  have  been  frustrated  by  one  like 
Robespierre  !  Even  in  this  view,  however,  we  trace 
the  hand  of  Providence.  Beauharnais,  tried  as  he 
had  been,  and  reclaimed,  was  at  least  not  exposed 
to  the  temptation  of  again  falling  away,  and  Jose- 
phine's means  of  doing  good  were  infinitely  ex 
tended.  Poor  Tommy !  it  appears  not  what  became 
of  one  so  helpless  and  so  innocent.  Most  probably 
he  perished  when  his  fellow-sufferers,  suddenly 
released  by  the  death  of  the  tyrant,  and  without  the 
power  of  maturing  any  plan,  had  left  him  to  his  own 
resources. 

In  every  thought  of  their  parents  for  the  future, 
as  well  as  in  all  their  anxieties  for  the  present, 
Eugene  and  Hortense  occupied  a  great  share.  They 
continued  to  reside  at  Fontainbleautill  their  mother's 
release;  and  two  notes  from  Josephine,  of  this 
period,  are  still  preserved. 

Josephine,  to  her  Children  at  Fontairibleau. 

"Your  two  letters,  though  of  the  same  date, 
reached  me  at  an  interval  of  three  days  from  each 
other.  They  are  very  nice  notes,  my  dear  children, 
for  they  truly  express  how  much  you  love  me,  and 
so  well  composed,  that,  if  your  aunt  had  not  assured 
me  of  having  given  you  no  assistance,  I  should  have 
thought  I  recognised  in  them  the  hand  of  the  Fairy. 


98  MEMOIRS    OF 

But,  if  she  have  not  written  your  billets,  she  has  at 
least  informed  me  of  your  excellent  conduct ;  in 
yours,  I  discover  new  proof  of  her  goodness  and 
amiable  disposition.  Your  father  will  be  no  less 
delighted  than  I  am.  You  do  well  to  give  us  cause 
of  consolation  while  wicked  men  persecute  us. 
They  shall  pass  away  and  be  punished ;  you,  my 
good  children,  will  enjoy  the  recompense  in  your 
own  affectionate  hearts,  by  witnessing  our  happiness. 
Place  yourselves  one  on  each  side  of  the  benevolent 
Fairy,  and  kiss  her  for  your  father  and  me.  Con- 
tinue to  be  good,  that  we  may  all  love  you  better  and 
better." 

The  following  is  in  a  very  different  strain ;  and, 
while  proving  that  Josephine  knew  how  to  correct 
as  well  as  to  commend,  it  exhibits  an  early  instance 
of  the  energetic,  but  somewhat  hasty  character  of 
her  daughter. 

Josephine,  to  Hortense. 

"  I  should  be  entirely  satisfied  with  the  good  heart 
of  my  Hortense,  were  I  not  displeased  with  her  bad 
head.  How,  my  daughter,  is  it,  without  permission 
from  your  aunt,  that  you  have  come  to  Paris  ? 
What  do  I  say  ?  It  is  contrary  to  her  desire ! 
This  is  very  bad.  But  it  was  to  see  me,  you  will 
say.  You  ought  to  be  quite  aware  that  no  one  sees 
me  without  an  order,  to  obtain  which  requires  both 
means  and  precautions,  such  as  poor  Victorine  is 
little  able  to  take.  And,  besides,  you  got  upon  M. 
Darcet's  cart,  at  the  risk  of  incommoding  him,  and 
retarding  the  conveyance  of  his  merchandise.  In 
all  this  you  have  been  very  inconsiderate.  My 
child,  observe,  it  is  not  sufficient  to  do  good ;  you 
must  also  do  that  good  properly.  At  your  age,  the 
first  of  all  virtues  is  confidence  and  docility  towards 
your  relations.  I  am  therefore  obliged  to  tell  you, 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  99 

that  I  prefer  your  brother's  tranquil  attachment  to 
your  misplaced  warmth.  This,  however,  does  not 
prevent  me  from  embracing  you,  but  less  tenderly 
than  I  shall  do  when  I  have  learned  that  you  are 
again  at  Fontainbleau." 

Poor  child !  she  had  left  her  aunt's  house  early 
one  morning,  and,  without  leave  obtained,  had  trav- 
elled upwards  of  thirty  miles  on  a  market-cart,  and, 
arriving  in  Paris,  had  found  her  way  to  the  Hotel 
Beauharnais,  where  Victorine  still  occupied  the 
apartment  in  which  every  thing  had  been  sealed  up 
by  the  revolutionary  functionaries.  Next  day  she 
returned  to  Fontainbleau  without  having  seen  her 
mother,  whose  letter,  so  pleasing  both  for  its  tender- 
ness and  decision,  and  her  own  tears,  formed  the 
sole  meditations  of  Hortense ;  for  she  read  and 
wept  alternately,  till  received  and  forgiven  by  her 
aunt. 

The  hopes  which  Josephine  now  entertained  of 
her  husband's  release,  and  their  consequent  happi- 
ness, were  founded  partly  on  the  general  aspect  of 
political  affairs,  and  partly  on  private  assurance, 
that  friendly  intervention  would  be  attempted  in  aid 
of  him  on  whom  her  whole  affections  centred.  For 
this  once  Beauharnais  himself  seems  to  have  thought, 
that  hope  might  not  be  entirely  illusion.  After  the 
death  of  Danton,  and  the  acknowledgment  of  a 
Deity,  though  executions  daily  took  place,  yet  the 
ferocity  of  Robespierre  seemed  mitigated.  He 
found  that  the  people,  it  can  hardly  be  said  were  in- 
clined to  lenity,  but  that  they  looked  upon  bloodshed 
and  suffering  with  less  of  positive  satisfaction  than 
heretofore.  Though  not  less  cruel,  he  deemed  more 
caution  requisite ;  he  even  felt  public  opinion,  by 
means  of  writings.  One  of  these,  the'  Old  Cordelier, 
which  spoke  of  ancient  usages  and  their  restoration, 
was  at  this  time  more  than  usually  bold  in  its  con- 


100  MEMOIRS    OF 

eluding  volumes ;  and  we  perceive  the  effects  which 
its  delusive  pages  produced  upon  the  captives  of  the 
Revolution.  But  the  tyrant's  remaining  associates 
clearly  perceived  that  their  only  chance  of  safety 
lay  in  being  able  to  anticipate  the  blow  which, 
sooner  or  later,  his  jealous  fears  would  level  against 
themselves.  Hence  the  hush  of  all  angry  feeling — 
they  wrought  deeply  and  in  secret ;  but  it  was  only  the 
silence  which  precedes  the  bursting  of  the  thunder. 
All  this  spread  a  degree  of  calm  over  the  political 
horizon ;  there  was  evidently  a  change  at  hand.  Men 
augur  as  they  wish,  and  it  seemed  only  natural  to  the 
captives  of  the  Luxembourg  and  the  Carmelites 
that  this  change  should  issue  in  their  restora- 
tion to  rank  and  liberty.  In  Josephine's  case,  these 
general  expectations  acquired  more  especial  con- 
sistency from  the  fact  of  Dorcet  Cubieres,  an  ancient 
friend,  having  recently  come  into  power,  who  zeal- 
ously laboured  to  effect  a  hearing,  in  full  committee, 
of  the  reasons  of  Beauharnais's  committal  to  prison. 
In  this  he  was  warmly  supported  by  Prosper  Sigas, 
now  minister  of  war,  upon  whom  Josephine  had 
made  a  most  honourable  impression,  under  the  cir- 
cumstances already  mentioned,  when  she  visited 
Nevil.  So  far  gratitude  had  wrought  its  own  re- 
ward. From  such  an  investigation  was  anticipated 
the  acquittal  of  General  Beauharnais,  an  expecta- 
tion founded  on  the  certainty  which  these  friends 
entertained  of  his  innocence,  and  because  most  of 
the  members  of  government,  who  would  have  been 
his  judges,  had  once  served  as  his  colleagues,  or 
seconds  in  command,  during  his  military  career. 
Sigas  had  been  further  charged  with  drawing  up  a 
report  of  the  case  for  the  Committee  of  General 
Safety ;  and,  upon  learning  this,  Josephine  addressed 
to  the  minister  the  following  letter, — a  document 
which  proves  the  writer  to  have  possessed  no  less 
prudence  than  zeal : — 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  101 


Josephine,  to  Citizen  Prosper  Sigas. 

"CITIZEN, — I  am  informed  that  you  have  been 
employed  to  prepare  a  report,  to  be  presented  to  the 
Committee  of  General  Safety,  on  the  affair  of  Gene- 
ral Beauharnais.  For  this  I  give  thanks  to  Heaven; 
and  had  I  been  permitted  to  choose  my  judge,  that 
choice  would  have  fallen  upon  you.  I  had  heyd 
you  mentioned,  and  always  has  your  name  been 
accompanied  by  those  honourable  but  considerate 
epithets  which  flattery  can  never  invent,  which  can 
be  inspired  by  gratitude  alone,  and  are  never  deceit- 
ful. Subsequently  chance,  or  rather  Providence, 
become  less  severe  towards  us,  placed  me  in  mo- 
mentary correspondence  with  you.  That  brief 
space  sufficed  to  convince  me,  that  the  gratitude  of 
those  whom  you  have  obliged  is  only  consistent 
with  truth.  I  also  am  become  one  of  those  whose 
misfortunes  you  have  endeavoured  to  mitigate. 
J  have  to  unite  my  gratitude  to  that  of  the  many 
unfortunate  beings  whom  you  have  laboured  to 
render  forgetful  of  their  calamities.  Nor  are  you 
ignorant  that  mine  increase  in  bitterness  each  day 
that  passes  away  while  my  husband  remains  in 
prison  untried.  For  it  is  no  longer  his  liberty  which 
he  solicits, — he  demands  his  trial.  A  brave  soldier 
has  a  right  to  this  where  he  is  accused  of  a  crime 
which  compromises  his  honour. 

"  Alexander  de  Beauharnais  a  conspirator !  One 
of  the  founders  of  liberty  meditating  its  downfall . 
He  who^  among  a  hundred  others,  was  distinguished 
as  a  promoter  of  the  republic,  essaying  to  overturn 
freedom!  Citizen,  you  have  never  believed  the 
accusation,  and  those  who  have  brought  it  forward 
believe  it  no  more  than  you*  But  the  importance 
lies  in  that  his  judges  should  no  longer  give  credit  to 
the  imputation.  Let  them  listen  to  you,  and  they 
will  be  persuaded.  Do  not  tell  them,  however,  that 


102  MEMOIRS   OP 

his  wife,  equally  innocent  as  himself,  languishes  far 
from  him,  under  other  bolts  than  those  by  which  he 
is  retained.  I  speak  of  myself  only  to  enable  you  to 
appreciate  the  injustice  done  to  Alexander.  Forget 
the  mother  persecuted,  and  her  children  dispersed, 
in  order  to  think  solely  of  the  father  and  the  husband, 
or  rather  of  the  soldier  and  the  citizen,  worthy  of 
recovering  honour  and  liberty." 

| 

The  examination  solicited  in  this  letter  so  far  tooK 
place,  that  Beauharnais  was  removed  from  the  Lux- 
embourg to  attend  at  the  office  of  the  Committee  of 
General  Safety.  The  only  consolation,  however, 
thence  resulting  was  the  last  interview  between 
Josephine  and  her  husband,  under  the  following  cir- 
cumstances: Sigas  having  obtained  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  day  of  conference  for  the  vicomte,  Cu- 
bieres  contrived  that  the  same  should  be  named  for 
hearing  Josephine  also.  This  arrangement — be- 
nevolently effected  with  the  design  of  at  least 
bringing  the  parties  together,  or,  if  any  thing  should 
be  accomplished  in  their  favour,  of  rendering  their 
joy  mutual — was  carefully  concealed  from  those 
chiefly  interested.  Disappointment  in  either  case 
would  have  inflicted  positive  misery;  but  where 
there  had  existed  no  anticipation,  no  hope  could  be 
destroyed.  Accordingly,  Josephine,  having  been 
conducted  from  the  prison  of  the  Carmelites,  was 
waiting  in  an  anteroom  her  turn  to  be  summoned 
before  the  committee.  She  was  alone  ;  her  heart 
filled  with  those  alternate  vicissitudes  of  confidence 
and  fear,  which  at  an  agitating  crisis  succeed  each 
other  we  know  not  how  or  wherefore,  when,  to  her 
inexpressible  astonishment,  the  door  opened,  and 
Beauharnais  entered.  He  on  his  part  felt  no  less 
surprised.  Neither  spoke ;  both  stood  for  a  moment 
as  if  entranced,  then  rushed  into  each  other's  arms. 
They  knew  not  what  their  meeting  portended  • 
scarcely  dared  they  to  indulge  hope  for  the  futuie  ; 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  103 

but  the  present  was  theirs,  and  in  the  happiness  of 
being  reunited,  they  enjoyed,  in  Josephine's  own 
words,  "  moments  of  felicity  which  softened,  nay, 
caused  to  be  forgotten,  a  whole  year  of  misery." 
This  tender  interview  was  interrupted  by  the  en- 
trance of  the  minister  of  war,  Prosper  Sigas.  He 
came  to  announce  that,  in  consequenc^  of  his  eleva- 
tion to  office,  other  changes  in  the  revolutionary 
cabinet  had  ensued,  and  that  Louis,  the  friendly 
deputy  for  the  Lower  Rhine,  was  superseded  in  the 
situation  of  reporter  to  the  committee.  Upon  this 
it  was  agreed,  that  it  would  be  imprudent  to  press 
an  examination  with  a  new  reporter,  indifferent  to 
the  issue,  and  ignorant  of  the  case.  "  I  also,"  con- 
tinues Josephine,  writing  of  these  events,  "resolved 
to  profit  by  this  information,  and  promised  to  solicit 
no  audience  till  a  more  favourable  moment.  This 
occasion  had,  indeed,  been  far  from  unpropitious, 
since  it  had  brought  us  together.  But  in  what  a 
place  !  and  at  what  a  crisis  I  I  know  not  what  my 
poor  Alexander  thought  of  me;  for  my  part,  I  found 
him  very  pale,  very  thin,  and  sadly  changed.  As  to 
his  disposition,  that  is  ever  the  same ;  he  is  the 
most  amiable  and  the  noblest  of  men.  Resignation, 
courage,  heroic  sentiments,  and  conduct  still  more 
magnanimous, — such  are  the  principles  of  his  charac 
ter.  He  had  wept  with  joy  on  once  more  beholding 
me ;  when  it  had  become  necessary  that  we  should 
separate,  he  was  calm  and  collected.  He  embraced 
me  more  like  a  friend  than  a  husband,  and  recom- 
mended our  children  to  my  care.  Such  tranquillity 
ecomes  innocence  like  his.  Now  I  grieve  that 
these  people  of  the  committee  did  not  see  him. 
Could  they  have  resisted  the  ascendency  of  his 
virtues  ?" 

Amiable,  but  sad  mistake — the  ascendency  of 
virtue  over  a  revolutionary  committee !  That  good- 
ness in  others  may  retain  its  empire  over  the  mind, 
something,  at  least,  of  man's  original  nobility  must 


104  MEMOIRS  OF 

still  survive  in  the  heart.  In  personal  virtue,  Charles 
I.  and  Louis  XVI.  were  not  inferior  to  the  be«t 
characters  of  their  respective  times ;  yet  both  fell 
beneath  the  stroke  commanded  by  rude  and  brutal 
men,  who  could  not  reverence  those  virtues  which 
they  had  either  never  known,  or  whose  remem- 
brance they  had  put  away  from  them.  An  honour- 
able noble  could  have  little  hope  of  life  where  a 
virtuous  king-  had  been  martyred.  Beauharnais, 
soon  after  the  interview  now  described,  unheard, 
untried,  with  nothing  proved  against  him  save  the 
suspicion  of  bad  men,  was  ordered  for  execution. 
The  sentence,  announced  on  the  6th  Thermidor 
(24th  July,  1794),  was  carried  into  effect  next  morn- 
ing, only  two  days  before  the  fate  of  the  tyrant 
himself.  Had  vengeance  overtaken  Robespierre  but 
two  days  sooner,  or  had  the  iniquitous  proceedings 
against  her  husband  been  delayed  for  eight-and-forty 
hours,  how  different  the  lot  of  Josephine  !  In  all 
probability  she  would  have  been  the  wife  of  a  mar- 
shal of  France,  instead  of  becoming  an  empress. 
We  shall  find,  even,  that  a  few  hours  only  snatched 
her  from  death,  and  had  not  the  dictator  fallen  on  the 
night  of  the  26th,  she  must  have  died  on  the  morrow. 
The  reader  might  be  disposed  to  believe  these  terrific 
contingencies  fabrications  to  enhance  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  a  life  already  sufficiently  wonderful  in 
change,  were  they  not  merely  individual  instances, 
striking  indeed,  of  one  of  the  most  shocking  accom- 
paniments of  the  Revolution, — the  revolting  ease 
arid  facility  with  which  human  beings  were  juggled 
out  of  existence.  Men  seemed  to  have  been  aban- 
doned to  their  own  reprobate  minds,  and  life  was 
taken,  and  even  resigned,  as  a  worthless  thing,  or  as 
if  there  had  been  no  fearful  looking  forward  to  the 
undiscovered  bourn  beyond. 

Beauharnais  suffered  on  the  morning  of  the  7th 
Thermidor,  in  an  obscure  spot  of  Paris,  near  the 
barrier  01  the  throne.,  in  the  Fauxbourg  St.  Antoine. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  105 

To  this  situation  the  guillotine  had  previously  been 
removed  from  its  former  situation  in  the  Square  of 
the  Revolution,  and  the  more  civilized  region  of  the 
capital,  upon  Robespierre's  discovering  that  blood 
was  becoming  less  acceptable  to  the  Parisians. 
With  the  vicomte  there  perished  in  the  same  morn- 
ing a  number  of  other  victims,  most' of  whom  knew 
not  wherefore  they  had  been  brought  to  execution. 
These,  both  men  and  women,  like  the  thousands 
who  had  preceded  them,  were  drawn  to  the  place  of 
final  suffering  on  a  kind  of  tumbrel,  or  cart,  stig- 
matized as  "enemies  of  the  republic,"  and  in  a  brief 
space  of  time,  lay  undistinguished  and  headless 
trunks.  Such  was  the  "  morning's  work"  for  many 
a  dreary  day  of  suffering  to  France.  The  mutilated 
corpses  were  thrown  by  hundreds  into  pits  :  years 
afterward  these  receptacles  of  festering  and  name- 
less carcasses  supplied  to  the  philosopher  matter 
for  experiment  on  a  grand  scale,  touching  a  new 
animal  substance,  and,  finally,  the  bones  being  dug 
up,  were  stored  promiscuously  in  a  branch  of  the 
catacombs,  and  that  particular  region  of  the  subter- 
ranean charnel-house  closed  with  a  wall  of  stone,  as 
if  to  shut  from  human  knowledge  the  proof  of  na- 
tional brutality  and  degradation.  How  the  heart 
sickens  at  the  reflection,  that  each  one  of  these 
dishonoured  forms  once  constituted  a  home  and 
sanctuary  for  sympathies  and  affections,  ardent  it 
might  be,  and  pure,  as  those  expressed  in  the  last 
letter  of  De  Beauharnais.  On  receiving  intimation 
to  prepare  for  death,  he  evinced  no  surprise ;  he  had 
foretold  the  emancipation  of  his  country  from  its 
sanguinary  oppressors ;  but  seemed  to  have  enter- 
tained a  presentiment  that  he  himself  would  not  be 
spared  to  witness  the  consummation.  His  peace 
had,  therefore,  been  made  with  Heaven;  but  the 
remaining  hours  were  nevertheless  passed  as  became 
a  Christian  and  a  soldier,  in  religious  ancPmental 
preparation  for  entering  an  unseen  world  with  reve- 


106  MEMOIRS  0V 

rence  towards  God  and  becoming  gravity  before 
men.  When  the  night  of  the  6th  and  7th  had  now 
been  far  spent,  and  all  preparation  accomplished 
left  his  mind  collected  in  its  tenderness,  he  sat  down 
to  devote  his  parting  thoughts  to  Josephine.  The 
following  letter  was  delivered  by  Nevil,  to  whom  it 
had  been  in  trusted  by  her  husband,  together  with  the 
lock  of  hair  purchased  for  that  purpose  from  the 
executioner,  who,  according  to  custom,  had  cut  it 
off,  that  the  stroke  of  the  axe  might  not  be  impeded. 
The  precious  deposite  did  not  reach  its  destination 
till  some  time  after  the  fatal  catastrophe,  when 
Josephine  could  say,  in  transmitting  to  her  aunt  a 
copy  whence  the  following  translation  is  made, 
"  Yes,  I  will  live  to  cherish  his  memory — to  educate 
my  children,  to  love  you  much,  my  dear  aunt — and 
my  friends  a  little.  During  the  last  few  hours  a 
sweet  change  has  taken  place  in  all  my  feelings. 
Would  you  know  whence  I  derive  this  consolation, 
read  the  enclosed." 

Last  letter  of  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais  to  his  Wife. 

"Night  of  the  6-7th  Thermidor, 
Year  2,  Conciergery  (24-25th  July,  1794). 

"  Yet  some  moments  to  tenderness,  to  tears,  and 
to  regret,— then  wholly  to  the  glory  of  my  fate,  to 
the  grand  thoughts  of  immortality.  When  you  re- 
ceive this  letter,  my  Josephine,  your  husband  will 
haye  long  ceased  to  live  here,  but,  in  the  bosom  of 
his  God,  he  will  have  beprun  to  enjoy  a  real  existence. 
Thou  seest,  then,  that  there  is  indeed  no  cause  for 
mourning  on  his  account:  it  is  over  the  wicked, the 
insensate  men  who  survive  him,  that  tears  are  to  be 
shed  ;  for  they  inflict,  and  are  incapable  of  repairing 
the  evil.  But  let  us  not  sully  with  their  guilty 
image  these  last  moments.  I  would,  on  the  con- 
trary, adorn  them  by  the  thought,  that  having  been 
united  to  a  charming  woman,  I  might  have  beheld 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  107 

the  years  passed  with  her  glide  away  without  the 
slightest  cloud,  had  not  wrongs,  of  which  I  became 
sensible  only  when  too  late,  troubled  our  union. 
This  reflection  wrings  tears  from  me.  Thy  generous 
soul  pardoned  the  moment  that  suffering  overtook 
me  ;  and  I  ought  to  recompense  thee  for  such  kind- 
ness by  enjoying,  without  recalling  it  to  thy  remem- 
brance, since  I  must  thus  bring  back  the  recollection 
of  my  errors  and  thy  sorrows.  What  thanks  do  I 
owe  to  Providence,  who  will  bless  thee ! 

"  Now  Heaven  disposes  of  me  before  my  time, 
and  even  this  is  one  of  its  mercies.  Can  the  good 
man  live  without  grief  when  he  sees  the  world  a 
prey  to  the  wicked  1  I  should  think  myself  happy, 
therefore,  in  being  removed  from  their  power,  did  I 
not  feel  that  I  abandon  to  them  beings  so  valued  and 
beloved.  If,  however,  the  thoughts  of  the  dying  be 
presentiments,  I  experience  one  in  the  recesses  of 
my  heart  which  assures  me  that  these  horrible 
butcheries  are  soon  to  be  suspended, — that  to  the 
victims  are  to  succeed  their  executioners, — that  the 
arts  and  sciences,  the  true  prosperity  of  states,  shall 
flourish  again  in  France, — that  wise  and  equitable 
laws  will  reign  after  these  cruel  sacrifices, — and 
that  you  will  obtain  that  happiness  of  which  you 
were  always  worthy,  and  which  to  the  present  time 
has  fled  from  you.  Our  children  will  contribute  to 
your  felicity,— they  will  discharge  their  father's  debt. 

"  I  resume  these  incoherent  and  almost  illegible 
lines,  which  my  jailers  had  interrupted. 

"  I  have  just  undergone  a  cruel  formality,  which, 
under  any  other  circumstances,  they  should  have 
forced  me  to  endure  only  by  depriving  me  of  life. 
But  why  strive  against  necessity  ?  reason  requires 
that  we  do  all  for  the  best.  My  hair  has  been  cut 
off.  I  have  contrived  to  purchase  back  a  portion 
of  it,  in  order  to  bequeath  to  my  wife,  and  to  my 
children,  undeniable  evidence,  pledges  of  my  last 
recollections.  I  feel  that  at  this  thought  my  heart 


108  MEMOIRS    OF 

is  breaking,  and  tears  bedew  the  paper.  Fare- 
well, all  that  I  love !  Love  each  other ;  speak  of 
me;  and  never  forget  that  the  glory  of  dying  the 
victim  of  tyrants,  the  martyr  of  freedom,  ennobles 
a  scaffold." 

From  the  ardent  affection  of  Josephine  for  her 
husband,  and  from  the  natural  sensibility  of  her  ex- 
cellent heart,  it  might  have  been  presumed  that  her 
sorrow  on  learning  his  melancholy  fate  would  be 
equally  deep  and  sincere ;  and  the  following  letter 
describes  with  much  feeling  the  distressful  situation 
of  the  poor  sufferer.  Though  in  the  original  the 
signature  had  been  accidentally  removed,  or  inten- 
tionally omitted,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  recog- 
nising the  delicacy  of  a  female  pen.  The  writer  is 
believed,  on  the  best  grounds,  to  have  been  the 
young  Dutchess  d'Aiguillon,  then  a  fellow-prisoner 
with  Josephine,  and  who  subsequently  became  Ma- 
dame Louis  Girardine, — a  lady  for  whom  the  empress 
entertained  the  greatest  affection  of  all  those  who 
afterward  adorned  the  imperial  court. 

To  Madame  Fanny  Beauharnais. 

"  MADAM, — Like  every  one  in  France  who  can 
read,  I  have  the  honour  to  know  you,  but  not  of 
being  known  by  you.  When  it  would  be  my  desire 
to  commence  our  correspondence  by  applause,  why 
must  I  begin  with  tears  ?  Alas !  at  this  moment 
your  own  are  flowing,  for  the  last  day's  journals  are 
before  you,  and  will  have  made  you  acquainted  with 
the  fate  of  M.  de  Beauharnais.  The  situation  of  his 
unfortunate  wife  must  necessarily  redouble  your  sor- 
row, through  anxiety  on  her  account.  Take  com- 
fort, madam;  the  health  of  that  amiable  person, 
sorely  shaken  as  it  has  been  by  the  frightful  shock, 
is  yet  less  threatened  than  the  tranquillity  of  her 
mind,  and  the  sensibilities  of  her  heart.  She  con- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  109 

tinued  two  days  in  ignorance  of  the  fearful  catas- 
trophe. By  a  note  from  the  vicomte,  your  nephew, 
she  had  been  informed  of  his  translation  to  the  Con- 
ciergery,  and  his  approaching  appearance  before  the 
tribunal ;  but  hope  had  taken  possession  of  every 
faculty,  and  there  remained  no  longer  room  for  fear ; 
that  which  would  have  proved  cause  of  apprehen- 
sion to  another  served  to  augment  her  confidence. 
She  remained,for  a  length  of  time  under  this  illusion, 
in  which,  indeed,  numbers  had  participated,  but 
which  recent  events  began  to  dissipate.  It  was 
painful  in  the  extreme  to  listen,  as  she  entertained 
us  with  the  story  of  her  affection  and  her  hopes, 
when  he  for  whose  sake  these  were  cherished  would, 
in  every  likelihood,  no  longer  profit  by  earthly  good. 
But  when  all  was  at  an  end,  we  could  not  even  smile, 
though  faintly,  upon  such  sweet  enthusiasm;  we 
were  silent,  and,  turning  from  her  with  a  sigh,  the 
unbidden  tear  started  involuntarily.  We  carefully 
concealed  the  fatal  journals  of  the  8th ;  she  asked 
for  them  repeatedly,  without  attaching  any  thing 
beyond  ordinary  to  their  importance,  and  only  in- 
sisted after  remarking  our  many  pretexts,  delays, 
and  refusals.  These  led  to  the  suspicion  of  the 
cruel  truth,  which  our  silence  and  tears  served  but 
to  confirm. 

"This  first  blow  brought  on  a  long  faint,  from 
which  she  recovered  only  to  abandon  herself  to  a 
more  legitimate  and  violent  despair.  So  many  hopes 
frustrated !  So  much  felicity  vanished  away !  We 
sought  not  to  console  her,  persuaded  that  grief 
would  find  a  close  in  its  own  excess.  Accordingly, 
the  sorrow  of  Madame  de  Beauharnais,  unquestion- 
ably more  profound,  though  less  overwhelming, 
preyed,  so  to  speak,  upon  itself,  and,  by  degrees, 
changed  into  melancholy :  sad  benefit  of  time,  which 
lessens  our  griefs  only  to  render  them  the  more  en- 
during ! 

"  We  spoke  to  her  often  and  much  of  her  children, 
K 


110  MEMOIRS    OF 

and  thus  brought  back  attachment  to  life,  by  proving 
to  her  how  necessary  she  was  to  those  beings  whom 
she  most  loved.  It  is  but  right,  madam,  I  should 
likewise  say,  that  we  represent  to  her  how  delighted 
you  will  be  to  experience  her  care  when  she  shall 
be  released  from  prison.  To  endeavour,  by  any 
means,  to  divert  Madame  de  Beauharnais  from  her 
present  sorrow  would  be  vain,  but  we  may  hope  to 
be  able  to  dimmish  its  bitterness, — not  by  words, 
but  by  a  detail  of  those  duties  which  remain  to  be 
fulfilled  by  a  heart  like  hers.  Be  assured,  madam, 
that  we  omit  nothing ; — is  it  possible  to  enjoy  the 
happiness  of  knowing  your  niece,  and  remain  in- 
different to  her  sufferings  1 
"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,"  &c. 

It  may  be  considered  as  almost  a  fortunate  cir- 
cumstance, that  her  own  urgent  danger  either  roused 
Josephine  from  a  state  of  apathy  into  which  she 
might  have  been  plunged  by  a  misfortune  so  unex- 
pected, or  encouraged  her  to  endurance  from  the 
glad  prospect  of  the  suffering  being  brief.  On  the 
same  day  which,  as  above  described,  brought  the 
discovery  of  her  husband's  fate,  she  herself  received 
intimation  to  hold  herself  in  readiness  for  death,  as 
she  was  to  be  removed  to  the  Conciergery  on  the 
10th,  and  thence  to  the  guillotine.  The  merited  but 
horrible  end  of  Robespierre  during  the  preceding 
night  saved  Madame  de  Beauharnais,  with  about 
seventy  others,  destined  for  the  usual  morning 
sacrifice  to  the  "  deities  of  Reason  and  Revolution." 
Had  we  not  her  own  confession,  it  might  be  deemed 
altogether  incredible  that  under  such  circumstances, 
Josephine's  thoughts  should  involuntarily  revert  to, 
and  dwell  upon,  the  singular  prediction  which  has 
already  been  reported  in  the  commencement  of  these 
Memoirs.  "  In  spite  of  myself,"  said  the  empress, 
long  after,  to  her  ladies,  "  I  incessantly  revolved  in 
my  mind  this  prophecy.  Accustomed  thus  to  exer- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  Ill 

cise  imagination,  everything  that  had  been  told  me 
began  to  appear  less  absurd,  and  finally  terminated  in 
my  almost  certain  belief.  One  morning,  the  jailer 
entered  the  chamber,  which  served  as  bedroom  for 
the  Dutchess  d'Aiguillon,  myself,  and  two  other 
ladies,  telling  me,  that  he  came  to  take  away  my 
flock-bed,  in  order  to  give  it  to  another  captive. 
'  How  give  it  V  eagerly  interrupted  Madame  d'Aguil- 
lon;  'is,  then,  Madame  de  Beauharnais  to  have  a 
better?' — 'No,  no;  she  will  not  need  one,' replied 
the  wretch,  with  an  atrocious  laugh ;  '  she  is  to  be 
taken  to  a  new  lodging,  and  from  thence  to  the  guil- 
lotine.' At  these  words,  my  companions  in  misfor- 
tune set  up  a  loud  lamentation.  I  consoled  them  in 
the  best  manner  I  could.  At  length,  wearied  by  their 
continued  bewailings,  I  told  them  that  there  was  not 
even  common  sense  in  their  grief;  that  not  only 
should  I  not  die,  but  that  I  should  become  Queen  of 
France.  '  Why,  then,  do  you  not  appoint  your  house- 
hold V  asked  Madame  d'Aiguillon,  with  something 
like  resentment.  '  Ah !  that  is  true — I  had  forgot- 
ten. Well,  my  dear,  you  shall  be  maid  of  honour ; 
I  promise  you  the  situation.'  Upon  this,  the  tears 
of  these  ladies  flowed  more  abundantly;  for  they 
thought,  on  seeing  my  coolness  at  such  a  crisis,  that 
misfortune  had  affected  my  reason.  I  do  assure 
you,"  continued  the  empress,  addressing  her  audi- 
tory, "  that  I  did  not  affect  a  courage  which  I  felt 
not ;  for  I  was,  even  then,  persuaded  that  my  oracle 
was  about  to  be  realized." 

A  few  evenings  before  this,  Josephine  had  wit- 
nessed the  weak  and  almost  romantic  means  by 
which  the  tyrant's  overthrow  had  been  at  least  has- 
tened, and  the  consummation  of  her  own  prophecy 
accomplished.  One  of  the  ladies  detained,  as  above 
described,  in  the  same  chamber  was  Madame  de 
Fontenay,  formerly  Mademoiselle  Cabarus,  and 
who,  subsequently  divorced  from  her  first  husband, 
became  so  celebrated  under  the  name  of  the  second. 


112  MEMOIRS  OF 

Prior  to  her  incarceration,  Tallien  had  declared  his 
passion ;  but,  unable  to  save  Madame  de  Fontenay 
from  revolutionary  law,  came  daily  to  the  prison, 
that  he  might  at  least  enjoy  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  her  through  the  grated  window.  Even  for  a 
considerable  space  previous  to  the  date  at  which  we 
are  now  arrived,  Tallien  was  the  life  and  soul  of 
the  conspiracy  secretly  organized  by  the  Mountain 
party,  against  the  despotism  of  Robespierre.  Cir- 
cumspection, however,  was  no  less  necessary  than 
resolution ;  for,  though  the  conspirators  perceived 
their  own  or  the  dictator's  destruction  to  be  the  in- 
evitable alternative,  distrusting  the  means  of  oppo- 
sition, or  watching  the  fading  popularity  of  their 
victim,  they  preferred,  for  a  little,  to  follow  the  pro- 
gress of  events  to  hazarding  doubtful  conclusions. 
In  this  state  of  things,  Tallien,  as  usual,  appeared 
one  evening  at  the  guarded  casement  of  the  Carmel- 
ites. Meanwhile,  Madame  de  Fontenay  had  secretly 
learned  that  she  was  speedily  to  be  called  before  the 
Convention.  This  she  knew  to  be  but  a  prelude  to 
the  block :  aware  also  of  Tallien's  designs,  she  re- 
solved to  urge  their  execution,  and  thus  to  secure  at 
least  a  chance  of  escape.  The  two  ladies  Fontenay 
and  Beauharnais  appeared  in  the  evening  leaning  on 
each  other,  as  if  to  breathe  the  fresh  air  through 
their  prison  bars.  The  former  made  a  sign,  to  all 
others  imperceptible,  soliciting  Tallien's  attention. 
It  may  easily  be  imagined  with  what  anxiety  both 
watched  his  motions,  as  they  beheld  him  lift  from 
the  ground  a  piece  of  cabbage-stalk,  flung  from  the 
window  by  Madame  de  Fontenay,  and  in  which  she 
had  concealed  the  following  note : — 

"  My  trial  is  decreed— the  result  is  certain.  If 
you  love  me,  as  you  say,  urge  every  means  to  save 
France  and  me." 

Similar  methods  of  communication  were  by  nc 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  113 

means  unfrequeiit  in  these  times  of  trouble;  dis- 
parted friends  contrived  to  maintain  a  correspond- 
ence, frequently  by  the  most  ingenious  arts,  and 
some  of  the  letters  already  quoted  were  originally 
transmitted  to  their  destination  concealed  in  fruits 
and  flowers.  Tallien,  having  secured  his  billet,  con- 
veyed in  a  less  poetical  disguise,  resolved  on  imme- 
diate action.  From  agitating  in  the  committees,  he 
proceeded  to  the  Convention,  where,  as  upon  an 
arena,  Robespierre  had  prepared  to  meet  his  oppo- 
nents. Tallien  had  pledged  himself  to  mount  the 
breach  in  the  first  assault ;  and  bravely  did  he  re- 
deem his  word,  when — forcing  St.  Just  from  the 
tribune,  as  the  latter  pronounced  the  words,  "  I  lift 
the  veil" — he  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  of  terrific  em- 
phasis, "I  rend  it  asunder!"  and  continued,  in  a 
speech  replete  with  the  wild  but  powerful  eloquence 
of  the  period,  turning  the  execrations  and  the  daggers 
of  the  whole  assembly  against  him  at  whose  least 
nod  its  chiefest  members  had  trembled.  The  lesson 
is  useful,  but  humiliating, — to  reflect  that  popular 
misrule  had  made  the  fate  of  the  noblest  kingdom 
of  continental  Europe  to  depend  on  a  piece  of  herb 
thrown  by  the  feeble  hand  of  a  woman  ! 

But,  to  return  to  the  consequences  as  they  affected 
Josephine,  and  as  related  by  herself.  "  Madame 
d'Aiguillon,  feeling  herself  ill  from  the  thoughts  of 
my  approaching  execution,  so  abruptly  communi- 
cated, I  drew  her  towards  the  window,  which  I 
opened,  in  order  to  admit  air.  I  then  perceived  a 
woman  of  the  lower  class,  who  was  making  many 
gestures  to  us,  which  we  could  not  understand. 
Every  moment  she  caught  and  held  up  her  gown, 
without  our  finding  it  possible  to  comprehend  her 
meaning.  Observing  her  to  persevere,  I  cried  out, 
*  Robe  (a  gown),  on  which  she  made  a  sign  of  affir- 
mation. Then,  taking  up  a  stone,  she  put  it  in  her 
apron,  and  again  held  up  her  gown  to  us,  raising  the 
stone  in  the  other  hand ;  4  Pierce*  vfu<ne),  I  called 


114  MEMOIRS    OF 

Out  to  her  in  return.  Her  joy  was  extreme  on  per- 
ceiving, to  a  certainty,  that  we  at  length  understood 
her*  Putting  the  stone  into  her  gown,  she  several 
times,  and  with  great  eagerness,  made  the  sign  of 
cutting  a  throat,  and  fell  a-dancing  and  shouting. 
This  singular  pantomime  excited  in  our  minds  an 
emotion  which  it  is  impossible  to  describe,  since 
we  dared  not  to  think  that  the  woman  thus  inti- 
mated to  us  the  death  of  Robespierre.  At  the  very 
moment,  while  thus  between  hope  and  fear,  we 
heard  a  great  noise  in  the  corridor,  and  the  formida- 
ble voice  of  the  turnkey,  who  was  speaking  to  his 
dog,  and,  in  the  act  of  kicking  him  away,  cried  out, 

*  Go,  you  d d  brute  of  a  Robespierre  !'     This 

energetic  phraseology  proved  we  had  no  longer 
anything  to  fear,  and  that  France  was  saved.  In 
fact,  a  few  minutes  after,  we  beheld  our  compan- 
ions in  misfortune  burst  into  our  apartment,  to  give 
us  the  details  of  that  grand  event !  It  was  the  9th 
Thermidor!  My  flock -bed  was  restored  to  me, 
and  upon  this  couch  I  passed  the  most  delightful 
night  of  my  life.  I  fell  asleep,  after  saying  to  my 
companions,  « You  see  I  am  not  guillotined— and  1 
shall  yet  be  Queen  of  France  /'" 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  115 


CHAPTER  IV. 

State  of  France— Liberation  of  Josephine— Her  Distress — Anecdotes*-* 
Letter — Madame  Tallien — Anecdotes — Letter— Eugene — Anniversary 
of  his  Father's  Death— Commencement  of  Josephine's  Correspond- 
ence with  General  Bonaparte— Anecdotes — Their  first  Interview- 
Letter — Josephine's  Opinion  of  her  future  Husband — Hesitation- 
Marriage— First  Campaign  of  Italy— Letters  of  Bonaparte  to  his  Wife 
— Josephine  at  Milan — Anecdotes — Espionage — Traits  of 'Bonaparte's 
Character — His  Affection  for  Josephine's  Children — Congress  of  Ras- 
tadt — Campaign  of  the  East-HParting. 

THOUGH  the  tyrant  had  fallen,  France  was  not  lib- 
erated. A  fierce  democracy  ruled,  and  filled,  for  a 
twelvemonth  longer,  that  unhappy  country  with  the 
violence  of  a  cruel  reaction.  The  national  ven- 
geance, though  often  just  in  the  selection  of  its  in- 
dividual victims  from  among  the  instruments  and 
abetters  of  Robespierre's  enormities,  proved  on  that 
account  no  less  fatal  to  the  general  tranquillity  of 
the  state.  The  ferment  and  agitation  in  men's 
minds  were  thus  prevented  from  subsiding ;  the  pub- 
lic feeling  continued  hardened  to  the  spectacle  of 
human  blood ;  and  such  had  been  the  complication 
of  events,  that  recrimination  might  have  been  ex- 
tended to  nearly  the  whole  members  of  the  Conven- 
tion— those  most  active  in  accomplishing  its  release 
from  the  thrall  of  the  dictator  being  far  from  ex- 
cepted.  These  circumstances  placed  in  direct  op- 
position or  in  mutual  distrust  the  democracy  and  a 
democratical  government, — the  most  jarring,  the  bit- 
terest, and  the  most  unmitigated  of  all  hostility. — 
Thence,  in  the  first  instance,  numerous  executions, 
enforced  by  the  popular  resentment;  and,  in  the 
second,  the  national  rulers,  in  self-defence,  taking 
part  with  the  greatest  criminals  against  the  nation. 
The  Convention  divided  within  itself-  the  Jacobin 


16  MEMOIRS  or 

clubs  restored;  the  excesses  of  the  collets  noirs — a  band 
formed  of  those  who  had  lost  their  parents  or  rela- 
tions in  the  preceding  massacres ;  all  present  mis- 
rule, confusion,  and  violence,  which  render  the  space 
that  elapsed  from  the  death  of  Robespierre,  in  July, 
1794,  to  the  establishment  of  the  Directory,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1795,  one  of  the  most  imbecile,  if  not  calami- 
tous, eras  of  the  Revolution. 

During  this  period  the  distress  of  Josephine  was 
most  severe.  She  had  been  released  from  prison 
on  the  famous  9th  of  Thermidor,  but  in  what 
manner  does  not  exactly  appear.  Nor  is  obscurity 
respecting  individual  occurrences  here  much  to  be 
wondered  at,  when  we  reflect  on  the  confusion  inci- 
dent upon  any  great  political  change,  especially  such 
a  one  as  followed  the  death  of  Robespierre.  While 
that  change  permitted  a  cessation  of  the  atrocities 
which  marked  the  Reign  of  Terror,  it  allowed  at 
first  only  a  partial  release  of  prisoners,  and  it  fe- 
quired  interest  to  be  included  among  the  few  eman- 
cipated captives.  At  this  time,  the  Vicomtess  Beau- 
harnais  could  claim  little  effective  protection,  save 
in  the  friendships  she  had  conciliated  among  her 
companions  in  misfortune.  To  the  influence  of 
Tallien,  therefore,  through  his  future  wife,  Madame 
de  Fontenay,  the  liberation  of  Josephine  is  to  be 
ascribed.  The  gratitude  which  she  ever  afterward 
expressed  proves  the  value  of  Madame  de  Tallien's 
services  upon  this  occasion,  though  of  the  direct 
mode  or  instrumentality  of  her  deliverance  she 
never  spoke,  probably  because  there  was  nothing  to 
communicate  beyond  the  fact  of  having  been  set  at 
liberty  along  with  the  inmates  already  mentioned 
as  occupying  the  same  apartment  of  the  prison. 

During  the  night  which,  as  the  eve  of  her  appear- 
ance before  the  dread  tribunal,  she  had  regarded  as 
among  the  last  of  her  life,  Josephine  had  been  em- 
ployed, as  her  latest  act,  in  writing  an  affecting  letter 
to  her  orphans : — "  My  children,  your  father  is  already 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  117 

no  more,  and  your  mother  is  soon  to  die.  But  since 
my  executioners  leave  me  still  a  few  moments,  I 
would  wish  to  devote  them  to  communion  with  you. 
Socrates,  after  his  condemnation,  passed  the  hours 
in  philosophical  discourse  with  his  disciples;  a 
mother,  about  to  be  placed  in  a  similar  situation, 
may  surely  converse  with  her  children.  My  last 
sigh  will  be  one  of  tenderness,  and  I  hope  my  last 
words  may  prove  a  lesson.  Time  was  when  1  could 
impart  to  you  sweeter  instructions,  but  the  present 
will  not  be  the  less  useful,  that  they  have  been  given 
in  the  season  of  calamity.  At  present,  I  have  the 
weakness  to  blot  these  admonitions  with  my  tears ; 
soon  shall  I  be  called  upon,  and  will  courageously 
seal  them  with  my  blood !"  The  unhappy  parent 
then  proceeds  with  certain  details  of  her  early  life, 
to  which  we  have  already  been  indebted.  From 
these  she  inculcates  the  wholesome  precept,  that 
"  upon  the  government  of  ourselves,  upon  patience, 
mildness,  and  forbearance  towards  others,  our  hap- 
piness and  success  in  life  must  mainly  depend." 
What  an  admirable  lesson  this  from  a  mother  who 
had  so  well  exemplified  its  efficacy  in  her  own 
gentleness ;  but  how  melancholy  the  perusal  to  those 
poor  orphans  whose  friendless  way  it  was  intended 
to  guide !  We  may  judge,  then,  of  the  joy  caused 
at  Fontainbleau,  by  a  letter  from  that  beloved 
mother  and  relative,  not  only  alive,  but  at  liberty. 

In  the  prospect  of  death,  Josephine's  last  thoughts 
had  thus  been  of  her  children ;  in  the  enjoyment  of 
health  and  freedom,  her  first  resolve  was  to  have 
them  with  her,  though,  as  remarked  by  herself, 
scarcely  knowing  how  to  provide  the  next  portion 
of  food.  From  the  prisons  of  the  Revolution  she 
had  indeed  made  a  near  escape  with  life,  but  her 
resources  had  been  entirely  ingulfed  by  its  confis- 
cations, so  that,  upon  being  released,  there  remained 
little  between  her  and  absolute  want.  Goodness, 
however,  generally  proves  its  own  reward.  Jose- 


118  MEMOIRS    OF 


phine  had  supported  the  distressed  when  circum- 
stances gave  the  power,  and  now  experienced,  in 
her  own  day  of  evil,  that  years  of  crime  had  not  ex- 
tinguished benevolence  in  France.  The  empress 
long  afterward  seemed  to  take  pleasure  in  convers- 
ing with  those  who  possessed  her  confidence  con- 
cerning this  crisis  of  her  distress, — a  theme  appa- 
rently deriving  all  its  charm  from  aifording  an 
opportunity  of  recording  with  gratitude  the  names  of 
those  by  whose  kindness  she  had  been  relieved.  Of 
the  attentions  then  experienced,  she  expressed  her- 
self as  having  been  most  sensibly  affected  by  those 
of  Madame  Dumoulin,  a  very  worthy  person,  who 
applied  to  the  best  use  a  large  fortune,  by  enter- 
taining daily  at  table  a  select  circle  of  friends,  whose 
means  were  less  abundant.  At  this  lady's  hospitable 
board  the  widow  of  De  Beauharnais  enjoyed  a  regular 
cover.  Throughout  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
year  1795,  so  frightful  a  famine  desolated  France, 
that  bread  was  subjected  to  a  legal  restriction  both 
in  quality  and  quantity,  two  ounces  only,  of  a  mixed 
flour,  being  allowed  to  each  person  throughout  the 
sections  of  Paris.  During  this  severe  scarcity, 
guests  invited  to  the  tables  of  even  the  most  opulent 
entertainers  brought  each  their  own  allowance  of 
bread.  From  this  necessity  Josephine  was  ex- 
empted by  her  kind  hostess,  being  unable  even  thus 
far  to  provide  without  inconvenience  for  the  wants 
of  the  passing  day.  This  gave  her  occasion,  when 
long  afterward  relating  these  circumstances,  to  ob- 
serve, with  amiable  gayety,  "  To  Madame  Dumoulin 
I  was  actually  indebted  for  my  daily  bread"  Another 
member  of  the  same  friendly  circle,  a  Madame  de 
Montmorin,  took  also  a  most  friendly  interest  in  one 
whose  situation  could  not  be  viewed  without  pity, 
nor  her  character  known  without  being  loved,  and 
procured  for  the  mother  and  children  those  indis- 
pensable articles  of  clothing  of  which  they  were 
ilmost  completely  destitute.  This  obligation  was. 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  119 

afterward  requited  with  a  liberality  and  kindness 
becoming  the  splendour  of  their  means,  and  bespeak- 
ing the  deep  gratitude  of  the  parties. 

Nor  amid  this  actual  suffering  did  Josephine  escape 
the  apprehensions  of  even  greater  calamities.  The 
fierce  levelling  of  democracy  was  still  aimed  at  the 
few  of  noble  birth  remaining  in  France.  As  a  secu- 
rity to  her  son  against  the  effects  of  the  crime  of 
nobility,  he  is  said  to  have  been  bound  an  apprentice 
to  a  carpenter,  whose  workshop  was  then  in  the 
Rue  de  VEchelle.  This  circumstance,  indeed,  though 
in  itself  extremely  probable,  is  not  stated  on  any  exact 
avowal  of  the  parties  themselves,  but  is  mentioned 
on  the  authority  of  one  who  had  long  daily  access 
to  their  presence.  The  fact  is,  moreover,  certain, 
that,  till  lately,  there  lived  in  the  street  specified  an 
old  woman,  who  distinctly  recollected  to  have  seen 
Eugene  passing  along,  frequently  bending  under  the 
weight  of  a  plank,  too  severe  a  load  for  his  boyish 
strength,  unpractised  as  it  was  in  such  labours.  We 
are  here  tempted  to  anticipate  dates,  in  order  to  in- 
troduce a  letter  illustrative  in  some  measure  of  the 
preceding  statements,  and  a  striking  evidence  of 
that  delightful  simplicity  and  moderation  which  we 
have  represented  as  constituents  of  Josephine's  char- 
acter. The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  that  the  origi- 
nal was  addressed  by  the  empress  to  her  son, — vice- 
roy and  successor  of  Napoleon  in  Italy,  one  of  the 
hereditary  princes  of  Europe,  and  son-in-law  to  the 
King  of  Wirtemberg. 

"  My  son, — in  beholding  the  aggrandizement  of 
your  fortunes,  it  requires  not  that  I  admonish  you  to 
raise  your  mind  along  with  them.  Whatever  height 
your  grandeur  may  attain,  the  sentiments  which  I 
know  you  to  cherish  are  more  elevated  stiil.  Such  is 
the  superiority  of  the  man  who,  in  all  things,  is  guided 
by  conscience.  In  this  you  prove  yourself  the  worthy 
son  of  him  with  whose  features  you  recall  to  me 
also  his  principles  and^  conduct,  In  the  depth  of 


120  MEMOIRS   OF 

misfortune,  he  displayed  such  magnanimity  only 
because  inprosperity  he  had  shown  unimpeachable 
probity.  The  remembrance  of  unblemished  honour 
is  sufficient  for  our  support  in  the  last  hours  of  life, 
inasmuch  as  its  whole  duration  is  thus  ennobled. 
You,  my  son,  are  now  exposed  to  the  prestiges  of 
greatness,  but  where  these  do  not  seduce  they  can- 
not corrupt.  Surrounded  by  honours  and  opulence, 
you  will  remember  Fontainbleau,  where  you  were 
poor,  an  orphan,  and  friendless  ;  nor  will  you  retrace 
those  scenes,  save  to  reach  forth  a  helping  hand  to 
the  unfortunate.  I  learn  with  joy  that  your  youth- 
ful spouse  participates  in  all  your  sentiments  ;  it  is 
a  proof  that  she  shares  your  whole  affections ;  and 
as  I  am  herein  equally  interested  with  yourself,  my 
rejoicing  is  that  of  a  mother.  In  the  same  maternal 
relation,  I  embrace  you  both." 

However  attained,  those  who,  amid  their  great- 
ness, could  act  and  feel  thus,  were  not  unworthy  of 
crowns  and  principalities.  In  all  probability,  too, 
had  the  same  gentle  influence  continued  to  temper 
the  fiery  energies  of  its  founder,  this  grandeur  might 
have  proved  more  enduring. 

In  these  her  early  distresses  and  struggles,  the 
widow  of  De  Beauharnais  found  her  most  valuable 
friend  in  Madame  de  Fontenay,  now  the  wife  of  one 
of  the  rulers  of  France.  As  Madame  de  Tallien,  the 
latter  then  enjoyed  no  inconsiderable  credit,  which,  it 
is  but  justice  to  say,  she  appears  to  have  employed  in 
relieving  the  oppressed — often  in  saving  the  innocent 
from  death.  That  Josephine  afterward  proved  un- 
able, in  the  court  of 'the  Tuileries,  to  return  the  pro- 
tection which  had  been  extended  in  the  revolutionary 
halls  of  the  Luxembourg,  though  a  source  of  sincere 
regret  to  herself,  hardly  interrupted  the  friendship 
of  these  distinguished  women.  The  empress  saw 
her  ancient  friend  in  secret ;  and  their  stolen  inter- 
views at  Malmaison,  though  they  could  not  be  un- 


THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  121 

known  where  the  completes!  espionage  was  reduced 
to  a  system,  were  at  least  not  prohibited.  The 
public  attentions,  which  it  was  forbidden  to  repay  to 
the  mother,  were  transferred  to  the  children :  Made- 
moiselle Thermidor  Josephine  Tallien,  the  present 
Countess  de  Pelet,  whose  accomplishments  amply 
testify  the  imperial  cares,  was  educated  by  the  em- 
press. Madame  de  Tallien's  kindness,  while  in 
power,  did  not  always  meet  with  a  similar  return ; 
more  than  one  family  among  the  present  nobility  of 
France,  whose  members  owed  fortune  and  life  itself 
to  her  interference,  forgot  afterward  to  be  grateful. 
One,  now  a  marchioness,  she  concealed  for  three 
weeks  in  her  dressing  closet,  absolutely  stealing 
provisions  from  her  own  table  for  the  support  of  her 
secret  guest,  fearful  that  she  might  be  betrayed, 
should  her  retreat  be  confided  to  a  third  party.  The 
marchioness  escaped,  and  more  than  usually  fortu- 
nate under  the  empire,  the  family,  on  the  return  of 
the  emigrants,  regained  their  rank  and  estates. — 
Madame  de  Tallien,  then  living  privately  in  Paris, 
naturally  expressed  surprise  at  not  seeing  her  former 
lodger*  This  being  reported  by  some  officious  friend, 
"  0  la !"  exclaimed  the  marchioness,  with  well-en- 
acted horror  at  the  idea  of  ingratitude  ;  "  to  be  sure 
I  have  often  designed  to  call,  but  then  one  must 
study  appearances,  you  know.  Pray  ask  when  I 
could  see  Madame  Tallien  alone."  Away  posted 
our  go-between  wi*h  this  message,  presuming,  like 
your  impertinently  good  sort  of  people,  that  chari- 
table intentions  exempted  of  course  from  all  the  ob- 
servances of  feeling,  &c.  "  Tell  the  marchioness,'1 
replied  Madame  de  Tallien,  with  the  greatest  com- 
posure, "that  I  am  never  alone,  being  constantly 
surrounded  by  friends  to  whom  1  had  once  the  hap- 
piness of  being  useful." 

In  the  latter  years  of  her  eventful  life,  when  mis- 
fortune seemed  to  have  opened  her  heart  afresh  to 
the   remembrances  of  early  friendship,  Josephine 
L 


122  MEMOIRS    OF 


delighted  in  frequently  relating  such  anecdotes  of 
Madame  de  Tallien,  of  whom  she  ever  spoke  with 
great  affection,  and  occasionally  showed  to  her  ladies 
a  large  collection  of  autographs,  where  those  of  the 
lady  of  the  ex-director  were  carefully  preserved, 
along  with  letters  from  nearly  all  the  sovereigns  and 
most  of  the  distinguished  personages  of  Europe. — 
These  portfolios  are  still  in  existence,*  and  their 
publication  would  furnish  materials  of  value  to  con- 
temporary history.  Meanwhile,  we  give  the  follow- 
ing from  Josephine  to  Madame  de  Tallien,  which, 
written  towards  the  close  of  1795,  shows  that  the 
former,  in  a  most  discouraging  situation,  had  pre- 
served unbroken  her  natural  buoyancy  of  spirit : — 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, — There  is  talk  of  a  magnifi- 
cent soiree  at  Thelusson.  I  do  not  ask  if  you  are  to 
be  there.  The  fete  would  languish  without  you.  I 
write  merely  to  beg  you  will  wear  the  peach-blossom 
dress  you  like  so  much,  and  which  I  now  no  longer 
detest.  I  purpose  sporting  a  similar  one,  and  as 
I  hold  it  important  that  our  costumes  be  exactly 
matched,  you  are  hereby  instructed  that  I  shall  wear 
my  hair  done  up  in  a  red  handkerchief,  tied  a  la 
Creole,  with  three  loops  on  the  temples.  What  is 
very  during  in  me  is  quite  natural  for  you,  who  are 
younger — perhaps  not  prettier,  but  incomparably 
more  bloonr.ng.  You  see  I  render  justice  to  every- 
body. But  it  is  a  coup  departe ;  the  object  being  to 
reduce  to  despair  the  Three  Lapdogs,  and  the  English 
Brace.\  You  comprehend  the  momentous  nature  of 
this  conspiracy,  the  necessity  of  secrecy,  and  the 
prodigious  effect  of  the  result.  To-morrow  I  de- 
pend upon  you." 

At  this  period  the  beauty  of  De  Tallien  and  the 
grace  of  De  Beauharnais  drew  the  admiration  of 

*  In  the  possession  of  the  Countess  de  Brady. 

t  Noms-de-guerre — nicknames — for  certain  reig»ing  toasts. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  123 

Parisian  society.  In  France,  more  than  in  any  other 
country,  female  influence  has  operated  directly,  not 
only  upon  national  manners,  but  upon  political  affairs. 
From  this  latter  interference,  indeed,  most  perni- 
cious consequences  have  resulted ;  but,  in  the  present 
instance,  were  it  not  that  scenes  of  gayety  contrast 
fearfully  in  such  proximity  with  deeds  of  blood,  we 
could  almost  term  the  idea  a  happy  one  which  led  to 
the  re-establishment  of  woman's  humanizing  empire 
over  the  courtesies  and  bearing  of  social  life.  Of 
those  in  power,  Tallien  and  Barras,  and  others  of  less* 
note,  though  deeply  stained  with  the  previous  crimes 
of  the  Revolution,  were  not  destitute  of  refinement, 
and  as  things  began  to  assume  a  somewhat  less 
sanguinary  aspect,  they  felt  desirous  of  emerging 
from  its  savage  coarseness  to  the  amenities  of  pol- 
ished society.  In  the  circles  formed  with  such 
intent,  Josephine,  introduced  by  her  friend,  and  so 
eminently  fitted  to  become  their  "  grace  and  orna- 
ment," could  not  be  overlooked.  She  quickly  ob- 
tained an  ascendency  over  the  minds  of  some  who 
directed  public  affairs,  and  over  Barras  in  particular, 
through  whose  means  a  portion,  though  a  small  one, 
of  her  husband's  attainted  property  was  restored. — 
This  good  fortune,  however,  did  not  come  all  at  once ; 
the  greater  part  of  1795  passed  under  the  straitened 
circumstances  already  described. 

We  thus  attain  the  close  of  the  first  year  following 
the  death  of  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais.*  The  follow- 
ing recital  of  this  date  possesses  a  twofold  interest, 
as  exhibiting  Josephine  where  she  ever  appears  to 
great  advantage — in  the  domestic  circle,  and  as  de- 
scriptive of  her  little  menage.  She  had  now  been 
able  to  establish  herself  and  children,  with  two  faith- 
ful domestics,  in  a  small  but  not  inelegant  residence 
in  the  street  then  named  Chantereine  (No.  6),  which 

*  That  is,  reckoning:  according  to  the  revolutionary  calendar,  which 
terminated  the  year  with  the  autumnal  equinox 


124  MEMOIRS    OF 

from  the  first  splendid  success  of  him  with  whom  her 
destinies  were  soon  to  be  linked,  afterward  obtained 
the  designation  it  still  bears, — the  Street  of  Victory. 

Josephine,  to  Madame  Fanny  de  Beauharnais. 

"  MY  DEAR  AUNT, — I  must  relate  to  you  a  charm- 
ing- trait  of  our  Eugene.  Yesterday,  being  the  7th 
Thermidor,  the  anniversary  of  a  day  ever  to  be 
deplored,  I  sent  for  him,  and,  showing  the  engraved 
portrait  of  his  father,  said,  *  There,  my  son,  is  what 
will  prove  equivalent  to  six  months  of  diligent  study 
and  of  wise  conduct.  This  portrait  is  for  you ;  carry 
it  to  your  chamber,  and  let  it  often  form  the  object 
of  your  contemplations.  Above  all,  let  him  whose 
image  it  presents  be  your  constant  model :  he  was 
the  most  amiable  and  affectionate  of  men ;  he  would 
have  been  the  best  of  fathers.'  Eugene  spoke  not  a 
Word:  his  look  was  cast  down,  his  countenance 
suffused,  and  his  grief  evident  in  his  agitation.  On 
receiving  the  portrait,  he  covered  it  with  kisses  and 
tears.  Mine  also  flowed  apace,  and  thus,  silently 
locked  in  each  other's  embrace,  we  offered  to  the 
shade  of  Alexander  an  acceptable  homage. 

"  The  same  evening,  all  my  friends  having  retired 

except  Cubiere  and  St. ,  I  beheld  my  son  enter, 

followed  by  six  of  his  young  friends,  each  decorated 
with  a  copy  of  Alexander's  portrait,  suspended  from 
the  neck  by  a  black  and  white  riband.  *  You  see,' 
said  Eugene,  *  the  founders  of  a  new  order  of  knight- 
hood; behold  our  tutelary  saint,'  pointing  to  the 
portrait  of  his  father,  '  and  these  are  the  first  mem- 
bers,' introducing  his  youthful  friends.  40urs  is 
named  the  order  of  Filial  Love,  and  if  you  would 
witness  the  first  inauguration,  pass  with  these  gentle- 
men into  the  small  drawing-room.'  Judge,  my  dear 
aunt,  of  my  emotion !  We  followed  Eugene.  Our 
little  saloon,  fitted  up  with  a  taste  in  which  I  recog- 
nised the  hand  of  Victorine,  was  ornamented  with  a 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  125 

long  garland  of  ivy,  roses,  and  laurels.  Inscriptions, 
extracted  from  the  printed  discourses  or  remarkable 
sayings  of  M.  de  Beauharnais,  filled  the  intervals, 
and  beneath  them  were  girandoles  with  lighted  tapers. 
This  heroic  and  simple  decoration  served  as  an  offset 
to  a  species  of  altar,  upon  which,  surrounded  with 
festoons  of  flowers,  and  with  flambeaux,  stood  the 
whole-length  portrait  of  my  unfortunate  husband. — 
Three  crowns,  one  of  white  and  red  roses,  a  second 
of  laurel,  and  the  third  of  cypress,  were  suspended 
from  the  picture-frame  ;  and  in  front  stood  two  vases 
with  perfumes.  Six  others  of  my  son's  companions, 
ranged  about  the  altar,  maintained  a  respectful 
silence.  On  seeing  us,  the  greater  part,  being  armed 
with  swords,  eagerly  unsheathed  their  weapons,  and, 
clasping  the  hand  of  my  son,  took  the  oath,  *  to  love 
their  parents — to  succour  each  other — and  to  defend 
their  country.'  At  this  sacred  word,  my  son,  un- 
furling and  waving  a  small  pennon,  shaded  among 
its  folds  the  head  of  his  father.  We  embraced  each 
other,  mingling  tears  with  smiles,  and  the  most 
amiable  disorder  succeeded  to  the  ceremonial  of  in- 
auguration. 

"  Ah !  my  beloved  aunt,  could  any  thing  comfort 
me  for  my  irreparable  loss,  would  not  my  children 
prove  my  consolation,  who,  while  they  make  me  feel 
it  more  acutely,  sweeten  the  pain  by  so  many  good 
and  endearing  qualities !  How  much  did  I  regret 
that  my  Hortense  was  absent ! — but  she  is  with  you. 
She  will  read  my  letter ;  she  will  weep  with  joy  in 
there  recognising  her  own  affections,  and  will  double 
her  delight  while  she  runs  to  mingle  tears  with  those 
of  her  brother,  who,  I  am  well  assured,  will  ever 
bear  in  mind  his  father's  constancy  and  courage,  and 
will  strive  to  render  himself  worthy  of  the  name  he 
bears,  by  perpetuating  the  brilliant  actions  which 
render  the  warrior  illustrious,  and  which  honour  the 
peaceful  citizen.  The  heart  of  my  Eugene  includes 
all  that  is  good  and  great. 
L2 


126  MEMOIRS   OP 

"  You,  my  aunt,  will  aid  me  in  the  performance  of 
the  duty  which  has  devolved  upon  me ;  can  I,  then, 
doubt  the  result  of  my  children's  education  1  I  should 
be  ungrateful  to  complain  for  what  has  been  taken 
away,  while  I  think  of  you  and  of  them !" 

We  now  approach  the  most  important  crisis  in 
Josephine's  fate, — the  commencement  of  her  connex- 
ion with  that  extraordinary  man,  whose  fortunes 
placed  her  on  the  most  powerful  of  the  thrones  of 
modern  times.  In  the  month  of  May  of  the  eventful 
year  1795,  Napoleon  Bonaparte  camjs  to  Paris,  a  suc- 
cessful general  of  artillery,  at  the  age  of  twuiy-six ; 
but  at  this  time  without  employment,  almost  without 
hopes.  The  preceding  incidents  of  his  life ;  his 
studies  at  Brienne  and  Paris ;  his  residence  for 
several  years  in  country  quarters  at  Valence  in  Dau- 
phiny,  as  second  lieutenant;  the  dawning  of  his 
reputation  at  Toulon ;  his  first  campaign  among  the 
Maritime  Alps,  with  the  army  of  the  south  ;  his  mis- 
sion to  Genoa;  his  consequent  unjust  arrest  and 
dismissal  by  the  representatives  Albitte  and  Salicetti, 
are  well  known  to  the  readers  of  the  admirable  Me- 
moirs of  Bourrienne.  The  summer  of  this  year  he 
had  passed  in  idleness,  narrow  circumstances,  and 
various  wild  and  fruitless  schemes.  His  energies, 
however,  and  talents  had  been  remarked  by  some  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  Convention,  especially  by 
Barras,  who  witnessed  the  display  of  these  qualities 
at  Toulon.  In  the  circles  and  at  the  table  of  Barras 
Bonaparte  and  Josephine  first  met.  A  disappointed 
and,  in  some  measure,  disgraced  officer,  however, 
was  not  very  likely  to  attract  the  regards  of  one 
already  looked  upon  as  among  the  distinguished 
ladies  of  France.  At  a  subsequent  period,  even  whilf 
the  advances  were  all  on  the  side  of  General  Bona- 
parte, Madame  de  Beauharnais  hesitated  long  before 
bestowing  her  hand,  and  appears  to  have  been  finally 
determined  rather  by  the  representations  of  friends, 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  127 

and  the  <tesire  of  giving  a  protector  to  her  children, 
than  by  inclination.  Even  the  personal  appearance 
of  Bonaparte  was  at  this  time  greatly  against  him, 
from  the  effects  of  disease.  At  the  siege  of  Toulon, 
an  artilleryman  having  been  killed  at  a  gun  in  one  of 
the  batteries,  whence  it  was  most  important  to  keep 
up  the  fire,  the  young  officer  seized  the  ramrod,  yet 
warm,  from  the  hands  of  a  cannoneer,  as  he  lay 
partly  on  the  embrasure  and  partly  on  the  carriage 
This  man  had  been  labouring  under  an  inveterate 
itch,  and,  partly  from  using  the  same  ramrod,  partly 
from  having  been  bespattered  with  the  blood  and 
brains  of  the  diseased  gunner,  Bonaparte  himself 
caught  the  infection.  By  unskilful  treatment,  this 
loathsome  complaint  had  been  thrown  back  into  the 
system,  and,  at  this  particular  period,  had  reduced 
him  to  a  perfect  skeleton,  with  a  countenance  black 
rather  than  pale,  and  meager  in  the  extreme.  From 
the  inward  effects  of  the  disease  he  had  not  indeed 
completely  recovered  on  the  return  from  Egypt,  nor 
till  he  had  been  some  time  attended  by  the  celebrated 
Corvisart. 

At  length,  in  the  autumn  of  1795,  events  occurred 
which  raised  Bonaparte  decidedly  from  the  crowd. 
The  Convention  had  long,  been  unpopular.  On  the 
22d  of  August,  the  famous  constitution  of  the  year 
3  appointing  an  executive  of  five  directors,  a  legis- 
lative assembly  of  Five  Hundred,  and  a  deliberative 
body,  or  Council  of  Ancients,  had  been  adopted. — 
The  constitution  was  to  reconcile  the  people ;  but 
to  provide  for  themselves,  the  members  of  the  Con- 
vention added,  as  a  condition,  that  two-thirds  of  the 
new  legislature  should  be  elected  from  their  body. 
This  restriction,  opposed  generally  to  the  wishes  of 
the  nation,  appeared  most  objectionable  to  the  in- 
habitants of  Paris,  who  resolved  to  overturn  the 
Convention  by  force  of  arms.  September  passed  in 
menacing  preparations.  On  the  4th  of  October, 
hostilities  actually  commenced,  by  Menou,  com* 


128  MEMOIRS    OF 

niander  of  the  forces  of  the  Convention,  marching 
into  the  quarter  of  Paris  named  Pelletier,  in  order 
to  disarm  the  National  Guards,  who  had  sided  with 
the  people.  Menou  found  the  guard  in  readiness  to 
oppose  him,  and  retired  without  effecting  any  thing. 
The  members  of  the  Convention  perceived  that  their 
defence  must  be  intrusted  to  a  sterner  spirit,  and 
Bonaparte,  on  the  recommendation  of  Barras,  was 
appointed  under  the  latter  second  in  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Interior.  The  Tuileries  were  to  be 
attacked  next  morning,  and  the  night  was  passed  in 
arranging  those  able  measures  which,  on  the  morning 
of  the  5th  October,  better  known  as  the  13th  Ven- 
demiaire,  or  Day  of  the  Sections,  were  crowned  by 
that  complete  overthrow  of  the  popular  party,  which 
Bonaparte  himself  has  so  well  described.*  The  new 
constitution  was  established,  and  with  it  the  Direc- 
tory, the  head  of  which,  Barras,  proved  still  the  friend 
of  Bonaparte,  who  thus  became  general-in-chief  of 
the  Army  of  the  Interior  and  commandant  of  Paris. 
In  this  latter  capacity  it  was  that  the  new  general, 
under  the  following  circumstances,  first  obtained  a 
particular,  interview  with  Josephine.  As  military 
governor  of  the  capital,  he  had  been  charged  with 
disarming  the  citizens.  In  this  way,  the  sword  of 
the  Vicomte  de  Beauharnais  had  come  into  the  pos- 
session of  General  Bonaparte.  Eugene,  whose  tem- 
perament, though  reserved,  was  highly  enthusiastic, 
and  whose  reverential  admiration  of  his  father's 
character  had  already  taken  deep  root  in  such  a 
disposition,  learning  this  fact,  determined  on  recover- 
ing so  precious  a  relic.  At  this  time,  though  not 
more  than  fourteen,  he  presented  himself,  both  with 
boldness  and  address,  at  the  levee  of  the  commander- 
in-chief,  requesting  the  restoration  of  his  father's 
sword.  The  countenance  and  frank  bearing  of  the 
boy  pleased  the  young  soldier,  who  immediately, 

*  See  Author's  Translation  of  Bourrienne's  Memoirs,  vol.  i.  p.  33, 1st 
edition :  p.  3^  2d  edition.    Constable's  Miscellany,  vol.  Ivii. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  129 

with  his  own  hand,  restored  the  object  of  filial  solici- 
tude. Kissing  the  sword,  Eugene  thanked,  with 
a  flood  of  grateful  tears,  him  whom  he  called  his 
indulgent  benefactor,  and  all  this  in  a  manner  so 
simple  and  touching,  that  Bonaparte  was  charmed 
with  his  demeanour. 

On  the  morrow,  Madame  de  Beauharnais  called  at 
the -hotel  of  head-quarters  of  the  Interior,  to  thank 
the  general  for  his  condescension  to  her  son.  To 
this  interview,  now  related  from  Eugene's  own 
account,  has  erroneously  been  attributed  the  first 
meeting  of  Josephine  with  her  future  husband  :  the 
incident  only  served  to  infuse  a  particular  interest 
into  the  previous  acquaintance  of  the  parties.  Bona- 
parte returned  the  visit.  Upon  one  of  such  fastidi- 
ous taste,  the  graceful  charm  of  Josephine's  man- 
ners was  certainly  calculated  to  produce  a  lively 
effect,  but  considerable  influence  must  likewise  be 
allowed  to  the  means  which  she  could  command  of 
aiding  his  projects  of  young  ambition.  Passion 
there  unquestionably  was  on  his  part,  but  on  both 
sides  this  eventful  union  appears,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, to  have  been  one  of  calculation.  His  hold 
upon  steady  office  was  yet  precarious ;  his  increas- 
ing intimacy  with  Madame  de  Beauharnais,  and 
through  her  with  Madame  de  Tallien,  daily  con- 
nected him  more  closely  with  the  men  in  power. 
That  Josephine,  however,  viewed  both  a  second 
marriage,  and  the  character  of  her  present  suitor, 
with  excusable  apprehension,  is  evident  from  the 
following  letter,  the  address  of  which  has  not  been 
exactly  recovered,  but  the  authenticity  of  the  com- 
munication is  not  to  be  doubted: — 

"  My  DEAR  FRIEND, — I  am  urged  to  marry  again : 
my  friends  counsel  the  measure,  my  aunt  almost 
lays  her  injunctions  upon  me  to  the  same  effect,  and 
my  children  entreat  my  compliance.  Why  are  you 
not  here  to  give  me  your  advice  in  this  important 


130  MEMOIRS    OF 

conjuncture  ?  to  persuade  me  that  I  ought  to  con* 
sent  to  a  union  which  must  put  an  end  to  the  irk- 
someness  of  my  present  position  ]  Your  friendship, 
in  which  I  have  already  experienced  so  much  to 
praise,  would  render  you  clearsighted  for  my  in- 
terests ;  and  I  should  decide  without  hesitation  as 
soon  as  you  had  spoken.  You  have  met  General 
Bonaparte  in  my  house.  Well ! — he  it  is  who  would 
supply  a  father's  place  to  the  orphans  of  Alexander 
de  Beauharnais,  and  a  husband's  to  his  widow. 

" '  Do  you  love  him  V  you  will  ask.  Not  exactly. 
4  You  then  dislike  him  V  Not  quite  so  bad ;  but  I 
find  myself  in  that  state  of  indifference  which  is 
any  thing  but  agreeable,  and  which  to  devotees  in 
religion  gives  more  trouble  than  all  their  other  pec- 
cadilloes. Love,  being  a  species  of  worship,  also 
requires  that  one  feel  very  differently  from  all  this  ; 
and  hence  the  need  I  have  of  your  advice,  which 
might  fix  the  perpetual  irresolution  of  my  feeble 
character.  To  assume  a  determination  has  ever 
appeared  fatiguing  to  my  Creole  supineness,  which 
finds  it  infinitely  more  convenient  to  follow  the  will 
of  others. 

"  I  admire  the  general's  courage — the  extent  of 
his  information,  for  on  all  subjects  he  talks  equally 
well — and  the  quickness  of  his  judgment,  which 
enables  him  to  seize  the  thoughts  of  others  almost 
before  they  are  expressed ;  but,  I  confess  it,  I  shrink 
from  the  despotism  he  seems  desirous  of  exercising 
over  all  who  approach  him.  His  searching  glance 
has  something  singular  and  inexplicable,  which  im- 
poses even  on  our  Directors :  judge  if  it  may  not 
intimidate  a  woman !  Even — what  ought  to  please 
me — the  force  of  a  passion,  described  with  an  energy 
that  leaves  not  a  doubt  of  his  sincerity,  is  precisely 
the  cause  which  arrests  the  consent  I  am  often  on 
the  point  of  pronouncing. 

"  Being  now  past  the  heyday  of  youth,  can  I  hope 
long  to  preserve  that  ardour  of  attachment  which, 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  131 

in  the  general,  resembles  a  fit  of  delirium  ?  If,  after 
our  union,  he  should  cease  to  love  me,  will  he  not 
reproach  me  with  what  he  will  have  sacrificed  for 
*ny  sake  1  —  will  he  not  regret  a  more  brilliant  mar- 
riage which  he  might  have  contracted  ?  What  shall 
I  then  reply  1  —  what  shall  I  do  1  I  shall  weep.  Ex- 
cellent resource  !  you  will  say.  Good  heavens  !  I 
know  that  all  this  can  serve  no  end  ;  but  it  has  ever 
been  thus  ;  tears  are  the  only  resource  left  me  when 
*his  poor  heart,  so  easily  chilled,  has  suffered. 
Write  quickly,  and  do  not  fear  to  scold  me,  should 
YOU  judge  that  I  am  wrong.  You  know  that  what- 
ever comes  from  your  pen  will  be  taken  in  good 


"  Barras  gives  assurance,  that  if  I  marry  the 
general,  he  will  so  contrive  as  to  have  him  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  army  of  Italy.  Yesterday, 
Bonaparte,  speaking  of  this  favour,  which  already 
excites  murmuring  among  his  fellow-soldiers,  though 
it  be  as  yet  only  a  promise,  said  to  me,  '  Think  they 
then  I  have  need  of  their  protection  to  arrive  at 
power  1  Egregious  mistake  !  They  will  all  be  but 
too  happy  one  day  should  I  condescend  to  grant 
them  mine.  My  sword  is  by  my  side,  and  with  it  I 
will  go  far.' 

"  What  say  you  to  this  security  of  success  ?  is  it 
not  a  proof  of  confidence  springing  from  an  excess 
of  vanity  ]  A  general  of  brigade  protect  the  heads 
of  government!  that,  truly,  is  an  event  highly 
probable  !  I  know  not  how  it  is,  but  sometimes 
this  waywardness  gains  upon  me  to  such  a  degree, 
that  almost  I  believe  possible  whatever  this  singular 
man  may  take  it  in  his  head  to  attempt  ;  and  with 
his  imagination,  who  can  calculate  what  he  will 
not  undertake  ? 

"  Here  we  all  regret  you,  and  console  ourselves 
for  your  prolonged  absence  only  by  thinking  of  you 
every  minute,  and  by  endeavouring  to  follow  you 
step  by  step  through  the  beautiful  country  you  are 


132  MEMOIRS   OF 

now  traversing.  Were  I  sure  of  meeting  you  in 
Italy,  I  would  get  married  to-morrow,  upon  con- 
dition of  following  the  general ;  but  we  might,  per- 
haps, cross  each  other  on  the  route :  thus  I  deem  it 
more  prudent  to  wait  for  your  reply  before  takinc 
my  determination.  Speed,  then,  your  answer — anS 
your  return  still  more. 

"  Madame  Tallien  gives  me  in  commission  to  teD 
you,  that  she  loves  you  tenderly.  She  is  always 
beautiful  and  good ;  employing  her  immense  mflu 
ence  only  to  obtain  pardon  for  the  unfortunate  who 
address  themselves  to  her ;  and  adding  to  her  acqui 
escence  an  air  of  satisfaction,  which  gives  her  the 
appearance  of  being  the  person  obliged.  Her  friend- 
ship for  me  is  ingenuous  and  affectionate.  I  assure 
you,  that  the  love  I  bear  towards  her  resembles  my 
affection  for  you.  This  will  give  you  an  idea  of  the 
attachment  I  feel  for  her.  Hortense  becomes  more 
and  more  amiable ;  her  charming  figure  developes 
itself;  and  1  should  have  fitting  occasion,  if  so  in- 
clined, to  make  troublesome  reflections  upon  villa- 
nous  Time,  which  merely  adorns  one  at  the  expense 
of  another !  Happily,  1  have  got  quite  a  different 
crotchet  in  my  head  at  present,  and  skip  all  dismals, 
in  order  to  occupy  my  thoughts  solely  with  a  future 
which  promises  to  be  happy,  since  we  shall  soon  be 
reunited,  never  again  to  be  separated.  Were  it  not 
for  this  marriage,  which  puts  me  out,  I  should,  des- 
pite of  all,  be  quite  gay ;  but  while  it  remains  to  be 
disposed  of,  I  shall  torment  myself ;  once  concluded, 
come  what  may,  I  shall  be  resigned.  I  am  habituated 
to  suffering;  and  if  destined  to  fresh  sorrows,  I 
think  I  could  endure  them,  provided  my  children, 
my  aunt,  and  you  were  spared  me.  We  have 
agreed  to  cut  short  the  conclusions  of  our  letters, — 
so  adieu,  my  friend." 

We  know  not  what  answer  was  returned,  but  its 
import  may  be  shrewdly  guessed.    The  privilege  to 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE:  133 

scold  could  hardly  be  'mistaken  by  a  clearsighted 
and  good-natured  friend.  Meanwhile  winter  passed 
rapidly  away  in  a  correspondence  between  the  prin- 
cipal parties.  The  new  duties  of  the  young  general 
occupied  every  hour  of  the  day,  but  his  evenings 
were  devoted  to  the  society  of  Josephine.  Fre- 
quently he  gave  public  breakfasts,  at  which  Madame 
de  Beauharnais  was  already  looked  upon  as  presid- 
ing, though  the  presence  of  Madame  Tallien,  and 
other  ladies,  rendered  these  reunions  both  less  par- 
ticular and  more  brilliant.  In  Josephine's  modest 
mansion,  again,  he  was  wont  to  meet  a  small,  but 
valuable  circle,  composed  of  those  who,  while  they 
favoured  his  suit,  were  able  likewise  to  promote  his 
interests,  as  soon  as  these  should  become  united 
with  the  fortunes  of  her  whom  he  loved.  Well 
might  she,  in  bitterness  of  soul,  accuse  him  of  being 
an  ingrate,  when  afterward  he  sacrificed  her  by 
whom  he  had  risen !  Where  passion  thus  prompted, 
and  ambition  urged,  Bonaparte  was  not  the  man  to 
fail,  gifted,  as  he  appears  to  have  been,  from  Jose- 
phine's own  confession,  with  unequalled  powers  of 
persuasion.  The  manner,  indeed,  in  which,  long 
afterward,  she  is  represented  as  speaking  of  Napo- 
leon being  incomparably  the  most  fascinating  man 
she  had  ever  known,  strongly  reminds  us  of  the 
opinion  which  a  distinguished  female  has  left  re- 
corded on  the  seductive  conversation  of  Burns. 
At  the  same  time,  the  incidental  remarks  of  the  ex- 
empress  enable  us  to  explain  the  very  opposite 
character  which  those  less  acquainted  with  him 
have  given  of  Bonaparte.  Though  warmly  attached 
to  the  sex,  he  entertained  but  a  mean  opinion  both 
of  the  talents  and  virtue  of  women,  and  on  rare 
occasions  only  attempted  to  be  pleasing  in  their 
society.  When  taxed  by  her  with  the  carelessness 
of  his  address,  he  would  repeat,  "Rien  ne  valait 
Josephine" — Josephine,  compared  with  you,  all  are 
naught. 

M 


134  MEMOIRS    OF 

Thus  passed  the  winter  of  1795 :  the  nuptials  were 
solemnized,  according  to  the  revolutionary  forms, 
by  the  appearance  of  the  contracting  parties  be  fore 
the  civil  magistrate,  March  9,  1796.  The  cere- 
mony took  place  in  presence  of  the  two  direct- 
ors Barras  and  Tallien,  who,  with  Calmelet,  a  law- 
yer, and  Lemarois,  the  general's  aid-de-camp,  signed 
as  witnesses  the  act  recorded  on  the  municipal 
register  of  Paris.  Barras  fully  redeemed  the  pledge 
alluded  to  in  the  preceding  letter ;  and  only  twelve 
days  after  his  union  with  Josephine,  Bonaparte  set 
out  for  Italy  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  repub- 
lican armies  in  that  country.  To  trace  the  brilliant 
progress  of  his  arms  in  this  first  and  astonishing 
campaign  belongs  not  to  our  humble  task.  The 
contest,  as  is  well  known,  began  by  the  battle 
of  Monte-Notte,  amid  the  defiles  of  the  Maritime 
Alps,  and  with  the  enemy's  watch-fires  almost  in 
sight  of  France ;  the  struggle  closed  upon  the  con- 
fines of  the  Hereditary  States,  after  the  Austrians 
had  been  beaten  along  the  richest  plains  and  most 
extensive  mountain  range  of  Europe.  "  In  a  year," 
he  had  formerly  answered,  on  youth  being  objected 
to  his  holding  command,  "  in  a  year  I  shall  be  old, 
or  dead."  Ten  months  had  sufficed  to  bear  the  tri- 
colour in  triumph  from  the  shores  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean to  the  Adriatic  Gulf,  and  to  inscribe  the 
name  of  Bonaparte  among  the  foremost  on  the 
records  of  warfare.  Not  even  the  dazzling  illusions 
of  youthful  glory,  however,  could  fill  the  void  caused 
by  separation  from  Josephine.  The  numerous  let- 
ters written  to  his  wife  during  this  remarkable  cam- 
paign, breathe  the  most  romantic  passion,  expressed 
in  the  most  ardent  language.  Whether  the  pub- 
lished portion  of  this  correspondence  be  quite  genu- 
ine, may  indeed  be  questioned,  but  that  communica- 
tions of  the  same  passionate  character  were  con- 
stantly addressed  to  his  newly-wedded  bride,  is  ad- 
mitted. Nor,  though,  from  various  causes,  we  de- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  135 

cline  introducing  here  any  of  these  singular  effusions, 
do  the  surmises  urged  against  their  authenticity  ap- 
pear conclusive.  Bourrienne,  for  instance,  while  he 
does  riot  absolutely  refuse  his  credence,  evidently  en- 
tertains suspicions,  founded  on  the  hyperbolical  style 
of  the  printed  epistles.  True,  these  differ,  in  this 
respect,  from  one  of  the  same  date  which  he  pro- 
duces, and  from  others  which  the  reader  may  subse- 
quently meet  with  in  the  present  volume  ;  but  when 
Bonaparte's  character  is  considered,  cold  by  nature, 
yet  highly  artificial,  and  from  the  preponderance  oi 
imagination  over  sensibility,  delighting  in  artificial 
excitement,  exaggeration  in  language  and  sentiment 
is  to  be  expected.  Moreover,  at  every  period  of 
life,  his  literary  tastes  evince  a  strong  bias  to  admi- 
ration of  the  inflated,  in  preference  to  simplicity. 
In  truth,  every  composition  remaining  of  this  extra- 
ordinary man  which  rises  ever  so  little  above  mere 
details,  exhibits  the  same  tendency  to  a  turgid,  but 
striking  phraseology,  that,  as  the  instrument  of  a 
powerful  mind,  captivates  the  fancy,  or  rouses  the 
passions ;  but  neither  conies  from  nor  reaches  the 
heart.  At  the  same  time,  there  can  be  little  doubt 
that  many  of  the  letters  now  particularly  referred 
to  have  undergone  considerable  alteration.  A  large 
proportion  of  those  said  to  have  been  written  during 
this  first  campaign,  found  their  way  into  the  jour- 
nals of  the  day,  and  in  the  process  of  their  passing 
to  the  public,  underwent  certain  changes  to  suit 
circumstances.  From  the  newspapers,  they  have 
been  transferred  to  the  Contemporaine,  and  other 
anonymous  collections,  wherein  they  now  appear. 
Of  these  alterations  Josephine  herself  complains,  in 
writing  to  her  aunt  at  a  later  period  of  this  cam- 
paign. "  I  enclose  the  general's  last  letter,  and 
add  another  received  at  the  same  time  from  my  son, 
who  is  likewise  yours,  and  whose  note  you  will 
therefore  read  with  a  mother's  feelings.  The  jour- 


136  MEMOIRS   OF 

nals  have  altered  both  these  documents :  I  send  them 
as  they  were  actually  written." 

From  General  Bonaparte  to  his  Wife. 

"  MY  BELOVED  FRIEND, — My  first  laurel  is  due  to 
my  country;  my  second  shall  be  yours.  "While 
pressing  Alvinzi,  I  thought  of  France ;  when  he  was 
beaten,  I  thought  of  you.  Your  son  will  send  you 
a  scarf  surrendered  to  him  by  Colonel  Morback, 
whom  he  took  prisoner  with  his  own  hand.  You 
see,  madam,  that  our  Eugene  is  worthy  of  his  father. 
Do  not  deem  me  altogether  undeserving  of  having 
succeeded  to  that  brave  and  unfortunate  general, 
under  whom  I  should  have  felt  honoured  to  have 
learned  to  conquer.  I  embrace  you. 

"  BONAPARTE." 

From  Colonel  Eugene  Beauharnais  to  his  Mother. 

"  MY  DEAR  AND  RESPECTED  MOTHER, — Detained  at 
Lyons  by  business,  I  cannot  resist  my  impatience 
io  commune  with  you.  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as 
to  perform,  under  the  eye  of  General  Bonaparte,  an 
action  which  obtained  his  approbation,  and  has  in- 
spired me  with  a  more  honourable  opinion  of  myself. 
In  taking  prisoner  an  Austrian  lieutenant-colonel,  I 
thought  of  my  father ;  I  was  seen  by  the  general, 
and  felt  conscious  that  you  would  applaud  me. 
What  motives  to  serve  one's  country !  These  en- 
couragements will  at  all  times  be  the  same,  and  they 
will  ever  possess  the  same  influence  over  my  heart. 
Hang  up  the  scarf  in  your  cabinet,  under  the  portrait 
of  my  father,  to  whom,  with  you,  I  render  this 
homage.  As  to  the  one  woven  and  given  me  by 
Hortense,  tell  her  it  shall  not  easily  be  taken  from 
the  wearer.  We  intend  to  make  the  Austrians  very 
prodigals  in  this  respect,  but  are  all  resolved  to 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  137 

continue  towards  them  the  same  niggards  as  hereto- 
fore ! 

"  Farewell,  my  good  and  gracious  mother !  Eight 
days  hence,  and  my  noble  gray  shall  be  put  to  his 
mettle,  as  if  with  a  bound  I  could  place  myself  at 
your  feet." 

We  have  anticipated  somewhat,  in  order  to  intro 
duce  these  characteristic  notes,  for  Eugene  did  not 
join  his  father-in-law  until  late  in  the  present  cam- 
paign. Meanwhile  the  following  anecdote,  among 
many  others,  will  show  Bonaparte's  attachment  to 
his  wife,  at  the  same  time  it  exhibits  a  singular  in- 
stance of  the  restless  desire  displayed  throughout 
his  whole  career,  of  trying  conclusions  with  futurity 
often  from  the  most  trivial  incidents.  At  the  time 
of  his  marriage,  he  had  employed  Isabey  to  paint, 
in  the  exquisite  style  of  that  artist,  a  miniature  of 
Josephine.  This,  in  battle  and  in  march,  he  con- 
stantly wore  about  his  person.  In  "  the  rough  and 
stirring  course"  upon  which  he  was  now  launched, 
it  could  not,  to  ordinary  feelings,  be  matter  of  mar- 
vel if  accident  should  occur  to  the  portrait.  But 
the  feelings  of  the  youthful  conqueror  of  Italy  were 
not,  either  for  good  or  evil,  of  a  common  character. 
The  glass  covering  the  miniature  was  found  to  have 
been  broken — how,  he  knew  not.  From  this  simple 
occurrence,  he  immediately  conceived  a  presenti- 
ment of  the  death  of  the  original,  and  enjoyed  no 
peace  of  mind  till  the  return  of  a  courier  despatched 
express  to  bring  him  tidings  of  Josephine!  The 
reader  has  here  a  pendant  to  the  story  of  the  djerm 
Italy,  as  narrated  by  Bourrienne,  except  that,  in  the 
latter,  the  prediction,  if  the  natural  inference  from 
the  state  of  things  could  be  so  termed,  was  fulfilled. 

While  Josephine  thus  constituted  the  distant  ob- 
ject of  all  this  fond  solicitude  to  a  husband  who  had 
not  yet  ceased  to  be  a  lover,  she  herself  led  a  life  of 
comparative  seclusion,  devoted  to  the  education  of 


138  MEMOIRS    OF 

her  children.  She  appears  early  to  have  divined 
the  jealous  temper  of  her  partner,  and,  in  strict  ful- 
filment of  the  resolution  expressed  in  one  of  her 
letters,  "  my  mind  once  made  up,  come  what  will, 
I  shall  be  resigned,"  she  began  by  humouring  it  from 
the  first.  Fond,  therefore,  as  she  was  of  society 
— high  as  were  the  qualities  she  could  bring  to  adorn 
or  to  sweeten  its  intercourse,  both  during  the  cam- 
paigns of  Italy,  and  especially  of  Egypt,  her  doors 
were  closed  even  against  her  friends,  and  she  herself 
appeared  in  company  only  to  glean  information,  or 
watch  over  the  interest  of  the  ungrateful  man 
whose  absurd  suspicions  at  that  moment  infused 
bitterness  into  an  existence  that  but  reflected  the 
sunshine  or  the  cloud  which  appeared  on  his  brow. 
In  all  this,  the  merit  was,  in  the  first  instance,  the 
greater,  that  the  conduct  flowed  from  principle, 
uninfluenced  by  passion.  Josephine  certainly  did 
not  marry  Bonaparte  from  attachment :  a  desire  to 
provide  a  protector  to  her  daughter,  a  guide  for  her 
son,  were  her  own  motives ;  the  representations  of 
her  friends  accomplished  the  rest.  Time,  and  ex- 
perience of  those  fascinations  which  she  herself 
described  as  unequalled,  ripened  the  grateful  feelings 
of  a  mother's  heart  into  a  love  and  admiration 
which,  for  uncomplaining  self-devotedness  in  the 
most  painful  of  all  sacrifices,  stands  pre-eminent  in 
the  sad  story  of  unrequited  affection.  It  is  not 
without  indignation,  therefore,  in  which  every  reader 
of  correct  feeling  will  participate,  that  we  read  in 
anonymous  and  ill-informed  English  publications 
that  Josephine's  character  on  the  score  of  gallantry 
was  indifferent.  But  to  this  subject  we  shall  be 
obliged  frequently  to  revert. 

After  signing  the  preliminaries  at  Leoben,  in 
Carinthia,  Bonaparte  returned,  by  way  of  Laybach, 
Trieste,  Padua,  Verona,  and  Mantua,  to  Milan. 
Arriving  in  this  ancient  capital  of  Lombardy  on  the 
5th  of  May,  1797,  he  established  head-quarters  at 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  139 

Montebello,  a  beautiful  seat  about  six  miles  distant, 
and  now,  for  the  first  time  since  his  marriage, 
enjoyed  the  society  of  Josephine,  who,  by  appoint- 
ment, had  repaired  thither  from  Paris.  In  this  ar- 
rangement, her  husband  consulted  both  his  affection 
and  his  political  interests.  While  at  Montebello, 
and  afterward  at  Passeriano,  he  transacted  the 
affairs  of  his  victorious  army,  and  conducted  the 
negotiations  terminating  in  the  peace  of  Campo- 
Formio, — she  presided,  with  equal  propriety  and 
grace,  over  the  gay  circles  at  Milan,  which  wanted 
nothing  but  the  name  to  be  already  a  court.  "I 
conquer  provinces,"  said  Bonaparte  of  her  conduct 
at  this  time,  "  Josephine  gains  hearts."  Frequently 
afterward  did  she  revert  to  this  as  one  of  the  hap- 
piest periods  of  her  life.  The  gallant  youth  of  the 
Army  of  Italy,  the  grateful  Milanese,  and  the  Aus- 
trian envoys  vied,  but  from  very  different  motives, 
in  assiduous  attention  to  one  beloved  and  honoured 
of  him  who  had  made  the  two  former  what  they 
were, — victorious  and  free,  and  who  to  the  latter 
could  increase  or  soften  the  bitterness  of  defeat. 
She  enjoyed,  too,  an  opportunity  of  realizing,  in 
part,  a  long-cherished  wish  of  visiting  a  land  of  lofty 
reminiscences  and  present  humiliation.  One  of 
the  most  delightful  excursions  which  even  Italy 
offers  is  from  Milan  to  the  lakes.  This  was  among 
the  very  first  scenes  visited  by  Bonaparte  and  Jose- 
phine in  each  other's  company.  After  seeing  the 
Lake  of  Como,  they  drove  through  the  rich  fields 
and  vine-clad  acclivities,  across  to  Lago  Maggiore. 
Embarking  on  this  magnificent  expanse,  whose 
waters  reflect  at  once  the  gayest  and  most  stupen- 
dous objects — from  the  glittering  villa  to  the  hoary 
Alp,  they  landed,  in  succession,  on  those  fairy  para- 
dises, the  Borromean  Islands.  Of  these  the  Isola 
Bella,  with  its  numerous  arcades,  hanging  gardens, 
and  anchorite  palace,  was  Bonaparte's  favourite—- 
as might  naturally  be  supposed,  calculated,  as  it  is, 


140  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  excite  the  imagination,  rather  than  to  gratify  the 
taste.  Here  the  party  made  considerable  stay  On 
one  of  the  marble  terraces,  a  splendid  orange-tree 
was  pointed  out  to  the  writer  as  the  scene  of  a  little 
adventure.  Josephine,  with  one  or  two  ladies,  had 
taken  her  station  under  the  tree,  and  while  they 
were  engaged  in  admiring  the  distant  landscape,  the 
general  slipped  up  unperceived,  and  by  a  sudden 
shake  brought  down  a  shower  of  the  golden  fruit 
among  the  fair  group.  All  her  companions  ran  off 
screaming  in  affright,  Josephine  alone  remained 
unmoved.  This  partial  failure  of  his  stratagem 
seemed  somewhat  to  pique  the  contriver.  "  Why, 
Josephine,"  he  observed,  half-ironically,  "  you  stand 
fire  like  one  of  my  veterans." — "And  wherefore 
should  it  be  otherwise  ?"  was  the  appropriate  reply; 
"  am  I  not  the  wife  of  their  commander  ?"  There 
is  here  so  much  of  delicate  tact,  that  it  were  to  be 
wished  the  anecdote  rested  on  better  authority  than 
can  yet  be  quoted  in  its  support. 

Several  absurd  stories  have  been  related,  and  till 
lately  believed,  of  Bonaparte's  impatience  during 
the  negotiations  with  Austria,  and  particularly  of 
his  having  crushed  to  pieces  a  china  jar  in  the  pres- 
ence, or  even  of  having  thrown  it  at  the  head,  of 
Count  de  Cobentzel,  the  Austrian  plenipotentiary. 
Bourrienne's  "  We  knew  better  the  rules  of  good- 
breeding  at  Passeriano,"  has  settled  all  that;  and 
we  may  introduce  here  an  anecdote  of  the  count's 
brother.  One  day,  Josephine — a  very  rare  disposi- 
tion on  her  part,  be  it  remembered — wishing  to  draw 
amusement  from  his  noted  avarice,  asked  him  to  be 
her  partner  to  play  at  a  whist  table.  They  were, 
of  course,  in  bad  luck :  at  every  new  infliction  his 
partner  addressed  him  in  accents  of  well-feigned 
condolence,  "  I  am  grieved,  count,  to  see  you  lose 
so  much,  but  next  rubber  we  shall  be  more  for- 
tunate ;"  consolation  which  pierced  him  to  the  very 
soul,  for,  considering  with  whom  he  played,  the  sup- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  141 

position  that  the  stake  must  be  an  enormous  one, 
was  natural  enough.  Meanwhile,  next  hand  was 
dealt,  and  another,  and  another.  Madame  Bona- 
parte committed  blunder  upon  blunder  (she  played, 
by-the-way,  one  of  the  best  games  in  France),  which 
tripled  the  disasters  of  her  unfortunate  associate, 
whose  chagrin  appeared,  even  despite  the  courtier, 
for  it  could  not  be  concealed,  but  wrought  upon  him 
to  such  a  degree  that  big  drops  of  perspiration  rolled 
over  his  elongated  visage.  At  length,  the  party, 
which,  to  his  imagination,  had  threatened  to  be 
eternal,  broke  up.  The  trembling  ambassador  in- 
quired, in  a  low,  suppressed  tone,  what  he  had  lost. 
"  Nothing,  my  lord,"  answered  Josephine ;  "  a  cir- 
cumstance that  will  explain  the  source  of  the  phi- 
losophy which  enabled  me  to  support  our  reverses." 
At  these  words  the  count's  face  resumed  its  wonted 
rotundity,  or,  at  least,  shook  off  its  assumed  longi- 
tude, and  showed  him  to  be  but  too  happy  in  getting 
off  with  a  fright.  The  man,  besides  his  appoint- 
ments, possessed  an  estate  of  twelve  thousand  a 
year! 

Josephine,  however,  amid  even  the  happiness  of 
first  power,  was  not  without  her  own  annoyances  at 
Milan.  The  most  dangerous  of  these  were  exactly 
of  that  kind  to  which  the  candour  of  her  disposition 
might  have  rendered  exposure  the  more  perilous. 
The  Directory,  conscious  already  of  their  own  weak- 
ness, and  consequently  jealous  of  any  other  power 
in  the  state,  looked  with  distrust  upon  the  astonish- 
ing success  and  popularity  of  their  commander  in 
Italy.  His  ambitious  views,  too,  so  openly  ex- 
pressed, as  even  to  have  their  influence  in  deterring 
Josephine  from  espousing  him,  had  not,  perhaps, 
altogether  escaped  their  suspicions.  Circumstances, 
however,  had  constrained  these  masters  of  France 
to  employ,  and  subsequently  to  dissemble  with  Bona- 
parte. They  filled  with  their  creatures  and  spies  the 
head-quarters  at  Passeriano,  and  the  mimic  court  of 


142  MEMOIRS    OF 

Milan.  But  the  precautions  of  her  husband,  and 
still  more  her  own  temper,  secured  Josephine  from 
the  worst  effects  of  this  espionage.  Throughout 
the  whole  course  of  his  life,  Bonaparte  lived  in  con- 
tinual apprehension  of  female  influence.  So  far 
did  he  carry  this  jealousy  of  freedom,  that,  in  more 
than  one  instance,  especial  favourites  were  dismissed 
on  the  bare  supposition,  that  they  themselves,  or  the 
world  for  them,  believed  in  their  possessing  import- 
ant confidence.  The  celebrated  Madame  Ganzani, 
as  we  shall  afterward  have  occasion  to  show,  is  a 
case  in  point.  Not  only  did  this  general  principle 
obtain  as  a  rule  of  conduct  towards  his  wife,  but  her 
sentiments,  uniformly  inclined  to  moderation,  were 
generally  opposed  to  his  vast  schemes  of  aggran- 
dizement, and  consequently  offered  little  encourage- 
ment to  communication.  The  candour  or,  as  some 
will  have  it,  weakness  of  Josephine's  nature  ren- 
dered concealment  irksome  to  her.  "  Ma  femme 
est  genee  par  un  secret,"  observed  Napoleon, — "  a 
secret  is  burdensome  to  my  wife ;"  and  he  took  care 
that  she  should  not  be  thus  encumbered.  Such 
were  the  causes  which,  at  this  date,  while  they  kept 
Josephine  a  stranger  to  the  plots  preceding  the  18th 
Fructidor,  also  secured  her  against  the  arts  of  that 
Directory  in  whose  cause  her  husband  matured  that 
revolution  with  such  consummate  art. 

Of  this  denial  of  confidence  Josephine  sometimes 
complained.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  it  pro- 
ceeded not  from  the  cause  assigned  by  her  enemies ; 
namely,  Bonaparte's  distrust  of  her  prudence,  or 
low  estimation  of  her  understanding.  To  the  ob- 
servations just  offered  on  this  point  may  be  added 
a  remark  of  her  own,  which  clearly  shows  both  her 
husband's  disposition  and  how  much  more  accu- 
rately than  others  she  understood  his  character. 
"During  the  many  years  we  have  now  passed 
together"  (the  observation  belongs  to  the  year  1804), 
"  I  have  never  once  beheld  Bonaparte  for  a  moment 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  143 

perfectly  at  ease — not  even  with  myself.  He  is 
constantly  on  the  alert.  If  at  any  time  he  appear 
to  show  a  little  confidence,  it  is  merely  a  feint  to 
throw  the  person  with  whom  he  converses  off  his 
guard,  and  to  draw  forth  his  real  sentiments ;  but 
never  does  he  himself  disclose  his  entire  thoughts." 
What  a  life  was  this !  ever  on  the  rack — always 
watching  and  warding.  This  truth  had  struck  us 
even  before  we  knew  of  this  confession  by  so  excel- 
Jent  an  authority,  and  if  the  reader  will  take  the 
trouble  to  recall  the  instances  which  he  may  have 
met  with,  when  Bonaparte  is  represented  as  in  his 
moment  tfabandon,  he  will  be  led  to  conclude  that 
these  apparently  careless  moods  were  assumed  for 
some  purpose  ;  that  they  were  followed  by  no  con- 
sequences, or  by  effects  totally  opposite  to  those 
expressed  by  the  other  parties.  Bourrienne,  in  par- 
ticular, evidently  has  been  the  dupe  of  this  affected 
openness,  and  so  far  appears  never  to  have  pene- 
trated the  secret  of  Napoleon's  character. 

One  course  of  unmixed  pleasure,  during  this  so- 
journ at  Milan,  Josephine  derived  from  the  society 
of  her  children.  The  whole  family  had  remained  at 
Paris  after  the  general's  departure  to  push  his  first 
adventurous  fortunes  in  Italy.  It  bespeaks,  too,  both 
an  affection  for  his  youthful  charge,  and  a  kindness 
of  heart  not  usually  assigned  as  one  of  the  features 
of  his  character,  that  even  amid  the  distractions  and 
important  cares  of  such  a  campaign,  Bonaparte 
maintained  and  encouraged  a  literary  correspond- 
ence with  these  children  of  his  adoption.  Hortense 
accompanied  her  mother  to  Italy  in  April,  1797; 
Eugene  had  previously  joined  his  father-in-law  to- 
wards the  close  of  the  campaign,  and  had  "  fleshed 
his  maiden  sword"  in  the  rencounters  which  imme- 
diately preceded  the  fall  of  Mantua.  To  these 
occurrences  the  letters  already  quoted  refer:  he 
was  then  in  his  seventeenth  year ;  nor  is  the  coinci- 
dence without  its  interest,  that  from  amid  the  same 


144  MEMOIRS  OF 

battle-fields  where  he  had  begun  his  career  as  a 
simple  aid-de-camp  should  have  been  dated,  eigh- 
teen years  thereafter,  his  last  orders  to  an  army 
when,  on  thus  bidding  his  companions  in  arms  fare- 
well, he  descended  from  the  second  military  dignity 
in  Europe. 

After  the  general's  departure  for  the  Congress  of 
Rastadt,  Josephine,  with  Eugene  and  Hortense,  re- 
mained behind  at  Milan.  In  this  arrangement,  sanc- 
tioned as  it  was  by  his  own  appointment,  there  is, 
perhaps,  to  be  discovered  no  unequivocal  evidence 
that  Bonaparte's  views  of  ulterior  ambition  were 
already  maturing  in  his  mind,  and  were  contemplated 
by  himself  as  less  distant  than  they  appeared  to 
others.  In  Italy  he  had  gathered  golden  opinions 
of  all  men,  by  the  expulsion  of  the  Austrians,  the 
establishment  of  the  Cisalpine  Republic,  and  artful 
promises  of  further  independence  for  the  Italians. 
He  left,  too,  in  that  country,  and  under  faithful  lieu- 
tenants, a  noble  army,  devoted  to  their  commander. 
In  short,  he  thus  possessed  resources  either  to  fall 
back  upon,  or  to  call  forwards,  as  occasion  might 
require,  should  the  popular  dispositions  seem  to 
favour  the  contempt  which  he  already  entertained 
for  the  weakness  of  the  Directory.  In  looking  to  the 
very  possibility  of  such  things,  it  imported  greatly 
to  withdraw  every  pledge  from  beyond  the  power 
of  those  whose  overthrow  was  meditated.  Jose- 
phine and  her  children  at  Milan  left  him  unfettered 
in  Paris.  In  his  early  career,  however,  Bonaparte 
showed  himself  one  of  the  most  dexterous  of  a  class 
that  has  ever  produced  the  most  dangerous,  as  well 
as  successful,  enemies  of  liberty, — aristocratical 
democrats,  men  found  in  every  country  and  period, 
who  carry  the  people  and  popular  sentiment  with 
them  a  certain  length,  and  then  contrive  "  to  whistle 
both  down  the  wind,"  as  soon  as  their  own  strength 
enables  them  to  turn  sharp  round  upon  their  former 
professions.  This  was  the  secret  of  his  rise ;  too 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  145 

open  disregard  of  the  same  policy  the  most  decisive 
cause  of  his  fall.  In  the  present  instance,  his  tri- 
umphant progress  through  Switzerland  to  Rastadt — 
the  universal  acclaim  with  which  he  was  hailed 
throughout  France  and  its  capital,  gave  Bonaparte 
assurance,  that  to  overturn  a  despised  and  tyrannical 
government  would  prove  no  difficult  matter ;  but  he 
perceived,  at  the  same  time,  that,  as  yet,  he  could 
command  neither  the  influence  nor  the  force  to  mis- 
lead or  constrain  the  nation  to  his  own  purposes ; 
and  those  rulers  whom  he  could  not  supplant  he  re- 
solved to  support,  as  convenient  occupiers  of  a  place 
he  regarded  as  his  own.  Josephine  was  thus  sum- 
moned to  rejoin  him  soon  after  his  return  to  Paris. 
But,  without  attributing  to  the  circumstance  all  the 
importance  now  assigned,  it  is  certain  that  her 
longer  stay  at  Milan  suited  both  the  interests  and 
the  pleasure  of  her  husband.  It  might  be  deemed, 
therefore,  an  incredible  instance  of  ignorant  malevo- 
lence, to  impute  this  protracted  abode  in  Italy  to  her 
love  of  gallantry,  were  not  such  an  absurd  accusa- 
tion to  be  met  with  in  writings  which,  very  unwor- 
thily, have  attracted  some  notice.  What  is  still 
more  melancholy,  thenceforward  began  those  perse- 
cutions and  misrepresentations  which  imbittered 
her  domestic  peare.  Over  these,  in  the  present 
case,  it  was  easy  to  triumph ;  but  against  such  in- 
sinuations, incessantly  repeated,  and  to  a  most 
jealous  ear,  perfect  innocence  alone  could  have  been 
a  protection. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  1798,  the  invasion  of  Eng- 
land having  been  found  impracticable,  Bonaparte 
was  appointed  commander-in-chief  of  the  Army  of 
the  East.  During  the  period  of  wonderful  exertion 
which  followed,  in  organizing  an  armament  that,  till 
then,  had  not  existed^-while  her  husband  passed 
the  day,  and  frequently  great  part  of  the  night,  in 
his  cabinet,  or  at  the  Luxembourg,  in  wringing  from 
the  Directory  reluctant  consent  to  his  measures — 
N 


146  MEMOIRS   OF 

Josephine,  in  the  saloon,  was  equally  active  in 
attaching  new  or  confirming  old  adherents.     Never 
were  those  conciliating  manners  for  which  she  was 
so  celebrated  more  successfully  employed,  than  in 
the  dawn  of  her  husband's  fortunes.     Not  a  few  of 
the  heroic  youth  of  France  were  thus  won  to  a 
standard  which  they  were  destined  to  unfurl  over 
so  many  prostrate  capitals  of  Europe,  rendering 
their  names  watchwords  in  the  history  of  her  war- 
fare.  Under  the  same  auspices,  too,  were  at  this  time 
contracted  some  unions,  more  in  accordance  with 
her  own  gentle  character.     Thus,  Marmont,  then  a 
young  officer  of  artillery,  espoused  Mademoiselle 
Perregeaux ;  and  Lavalette,  the  general's  favourite 
aid-de-camp,  received  the  hand  of  a  daughter  of  the 
Marquis  de  Beauharnais.     "Habit,"  said  the  em- 
press, long  afterward,  "  has  rendered  the  practice 
familiar ;  but  there  is  only  one  occasion  on  which  I 
would  voluntarily  use  /  will ;  namely,  when  I  would 
say, '  I  will  that  all  around  me  be  happy !' "    In  those 
two  instances,  at  least,  this  wish  was  gratified.    Mar- 
shal Marmont,  one  of  the  most  skilful  and  honour- 
able of  the  imperial  generals,  was  also  in  his  domes- 
tic relations  one  of  the  most  amiable  and  fortunate 
of  men ;  "  a  distinction,"  observes  a  writer  on  this 
very  subject,  "  infinitely  more  enviable  than  military 
renown."    The  respect  entertained  by  Josephine  for 
the  brother  of  her  first  husband,  has  already  been 
noticed.     His  daughter  she  had  trained  up  with  all 
a  mother's  tenderness  ;  and  the  heroic  character  of 
Madame  Lavalette  does  honour  to  the  memory  of 
her  noble  benefactress.* 

Early  in  May,  Bonaparte  left  Paris  to  embark  for 
Egypt, — an  important  crisis  in  his  and  in  Josephine's 
fate.  In  order  that  he  might  enjoy  to  the  latest 
hour  the  charms  of  her  society,  his  wife  accom- 

*  The  reader  need  hardly  be  reminded  through  what  devotedness  of 
attachment  Madame  Lavalette  effected  her  husband's  escape  from 
prison,  in  1815,  after  the  second  abdication. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  147 

panied  him  to  Toulon.  Here  she  at  length  wrung 
from  him  a  kind  of  promise  to  be  allowed  to  follow, 
so  soon  as  affairs  in  the  East  should  render  such  a 
step  prudent.  All  his  persuasions  against  this  pro- 
ceeding had  been  repelled,  with  an  anxious  fondness 
which  showed  how  truly  she  was  in  earnest.  Mean- 
while, the  moment  for  embarking  arrived.  Their 
parting  has  been  described  as  most  tender.  It  was 
the  separation  of  those  who  love,  and  who  part 
under  the  feeling  that  they  may  never  meet  again. 
The  whole  sea  appeared  to  be  covered  with  ships ; 
Josephine's  eyes  were  fixed  on  the  admiral's  ves- 
sel, the  IS  Orient,  alone,  which  bore  from  her  sight 
her  husband  and  her  son,  until  the  lessening  sails 
had  melted  into  the  horizon ;  then,  turning  away, 
found  herself  once  more  alone  in  the  world. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Accident  at  Plombifires — Josephine's  Danger— Hortense — Anecdotes  • 
Education — Anecdotes — The  Ghost — Malmaison — Barras  and  Jose 
phine— Vindication— Emigrants — Jealousy  of  Bonaparte — Letter  from 
bis  Wife — Josephine  in  private  Life — Letter  to  Eugene— Domestic 
Details— Occupations — Debts  of  Josephine — Uncertainty— Thoughts 
of  Divorce— Anecdotes — Talleyrand— Return  of  Bonaparte — Misun 
derstandings— Reconciliation. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  the  sailing  of  the  eastern  arma- 
ment on  the  19th  of  May,  Josephine  set  out  from 
Toulon  on  a  visit  to  Plombieres,  whose  medicinal 
springs  have  long  been  celebrated  for  their  efficacy 
in  restoring  maternity.  Here  it  had  been  agreed, 
on  parting,  that  she  should  remain  till  the  return  of 
a  frigate,  which  Bonaparte  had  promised  to  send 
for  her  on  effecting  a  landing  in  Egypt.  Thus,  in 
all  probability,  her  stay  would  not  exceed  many 
weeks ;  and  this  interval  she  joyfully  consented  to 


148  MEMOIRS    OF 

pass  in  taking  the  waters.  An  accident,  however, 
of  a  very  frightful  nature,  and  which  in  its  con- 
sequences might  have  been  fatal,  detained  her  for 
several  months  at  Plombieres.  Madame  Bonaparte, 
a  few  days  after  her  arrival,  was  sitting  one  morn- 
ing in  the  saloon  at  work,  and  conversing  with  the 
ladies  of  her  society,  among  whom  were  Mesdames 
de  Crigny,  afterward  married  to  the  celebrated 
Denon,  and  De  Cambes.  The  latter,  who  was  in 
the  balcony  entertaining  the  party  with  what  passed 
in  the  street,  expressed  great  admiration  of  a  beau- 
tiful little  dog  which  she  observed  below.  Upon 
this  all  eagerly  rushed  upon  the  balcony,  which 
came  down  with  a  fearful  crash.  Happily,  no  lives 
were  lost ;  but  the  unfortunate  individual  who  had 
been  the  innocent  cause  of  the  accident  had  her 
thigh-bone  fractured,  and  Josephine  herself  was 
grievously  bruised.  The  contusions  on  her  hands 
and  arms  were  so  severe  that  for  some  time  she  had 
to  be  fed  like  an  infant.  Charvet,  afterward  steward 
of  the  household,  who  was  at  this  time  principal 
male  domestic,  happening  to  be  in  a  room  imme- 
diately above,  hastened  to  the  assistance  of  his  mis- 
tress, and  by  his  direction  a  sheep  was  instantly 
killed,  and  Madame  Bonaparte  wrapped  up  in  the 
hide  yet  warm  from  the  animal.  By  this  simple 
remedy  not  only  was  the  present  pain  allayed,  but 
a  preparation  made  for  more  scientific  and  fortu- 
nately successful  treatment. 

As  a  solace  in  the  hours  of  confinement,  Jose- 
phine sent  for  her  daughter  all  the  way  from  St. 
Germain.  Hortense,  now  in  her  fifteenth  year,  was 
at  this  period  a  boarder  in  the  celebrated  establish- 
ment of  Madame  Campan.  Charvet  and  our  old 
friend  Euphemie  were  despatched  on  a  mission 
which,  exclusive  of  its  cause,  could  hardly  fail  of 
being  agreeable  to  any  youthful  inmate  of  a  boarding- 
school,  but  to  one  whose  motto  appears  to  have  been, 


"  Mirth,  with  thee  I  choose  to  live," 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  149 

such  an  invitation  must  have  proved  doubly  pleas- 
ing. Accordingly,  we  might  quote  various  reminis- 
cences of  this  holyday  journey, — of  the  vast  havoc 
committed  among  sweet  cakes  and  sugarplums,  and 
especially  of  the  mortal  fear  which  roused  from 
their  noonday  slumbers  the  guardians  of  the  future 
Queen  of  Holland.  The  carriage  was  slowly  pro- 
ceeding through  a  forest  wherein  robbery  and  mur- 
der held  traditionary  residence.  Partly  to  obtain 
forgetfulness  of  their  apprehension,  partly  overcome 
by  a  southern  sun  in  June,  Charvet  and  Euphemie 
had  each  settled  in  the  accustomed  nook,  when  a 
sudden  report  struck  on  their  "  dreaming  ear,"  with 
appalling  loudness  and  proximity.  Not  once  doubt- 
ing that  robbers  had  assailed  them,  they  were  ready, 
in  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  to  exclaim  with 
the  varlet  in  the  play, — "  Oh,  spare  all  I  have,  and 
take  my  life  !"  when  their  awakening  senses  were 
saluted  and  refreshed  by  a  most  odoriferous  dew 
instead  of  the  deadly  scent  of  gunpowder.  It 
turned  out  that  Hortense  had  discharged  upon  her 
dozing  companions  the  entire  wrath,  cork,  contents, 
and  all,  of  a  bottle  of  champaign.  The  spirits  of  the 
youthful  traveller  suffered  no  abatement  on  arriving 
at  Plombieres,  for  she  had  the  happiness  of  finding 
her  mother  rapidly  recovering  from  the  effects  of 
her  accident. 

Opportunity  has  already  occurred  of  showing, 
that  though  Josephine  was  the  most  affectionate  of 
parents,  she  by  no  means  improperly  indulged  her 
children.  Her  ideas  of  education  were  excellent, 
and  carried  into  practice  with  all  the  requisite  firm* 
ness.  On  this  subject  the  following  letter,  pub- 
lished from  an  autograph  of  the  empress,  will  be 
perused  with  equal  interest  and  approbation.  It 
respects,  indeed,  the  conduct  of  one  of  her  nieces, 
the  daughter  of  the  Marquis  de  Beauharnais,  but 
exactly  the  same  principles  were  acted  upon  m  the 
treatment  of  her  own  daughter  • 
N2 


150  MEMOIRS    OF 

"Mr  DEAR  MADAME  CAMP  AN, — With  my  niece, 
whom  I  return  to  your  charge,  receive  also  my 
thanks  and  my  reproof.  The  former  are  due  for 
the  great  care  and  brilliant  education  which  you 
have  bestowed  upon  the  child;  the  latter  for  the 
faults  which  your  sagacity  must  have  discovered, 
but  which  your  indulgence  has  tolerated.  The  girl 
is  gentle,  but  shy ;  well  informed,  but  haughty ;  tal- 
ented, but  thoughtless;  she  does  not  please,  and 
takes  no  pains  to  render  herself  agreeable.  She 
conceives  that  the  reputation  of  her  uncle  and  the 
bravery  of  her  father  are  every  thing.  Teach  her, 
and  that  by  the  severest  means,  how  absolutely  un- 
availing are  those  qualities  which  are  not  personal. 
We  live  in  an  age  where  each  is  the  author  of  his 
own  fortunes ;  and  if  those  who  serve  the  state  in 
the  first  ranks  ought  to  have  some  advantages  and 
enjoy  some  privileges,  they  should  on  that  account 
strive  only  to  render  themselves  more  beloved  and 
more  useful.  It  is  solely  by  acting  thus  that  they 
can  have  some  chance  of  excusing  their  good  for- 
tune in  the  eyes  of  envy.  Of  these  things,  my  dear 
Madame  Campan,  you  must  not  allow  my  niece  to 
remain  ignorant,  and  such  are  the  instructions  which 
in  my  name  you  should  repeat  to  her  constantly. 
It  is  my  pleasure  that  she  treat  as  equals  every  one 
of  her  companions,  most  of  whom  are  better  or  as 
good  as  herself,  their  only  inferiority  consisting  in 
not  having  relations  so  able  or  so  fortunate." 

What  we  regard  at  the  time  as  the  greatest  mis 
fortune  often  appears  in  the  end  to  have  been  mer 
cifully  dispensed  for  our  good.  Such  was  Jose 
phine's  present  case.  She  had  bitterly  lamented  an 
accident  which  prevented  the  voyage  to  Egypt. 
The  Pomona  frigate,  however,  on  bou-d  of  which 
she  had  proposed  to  embark,  was  subsequently  cap- 
tured by  the  English  cruisers  in  the  Mediterranean. 
It  is  therefore  probable  that  the  confinement  at 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  151 

Plombieres  proved  the  cause  of  avoiding  a  still 
more  tedious  captivity  in  England.  The  preference 
which  Josephine  gave  to  this  vessel  over  any  other 
in  the  fleet  arose  from  the  circumstance,  as  already 
mentioned,  of  having  crossed  in  the  same  ship  from 
Martinico  to  France.  The  selection  consequently 
would  not  have  been  altogether  fortuitous,  but  the 
fact  would  not  have  been  without  its  interest,  to 
find  Josephine,  after  an  interval  of  years,  voyaging 
in  the  same  ship  with  prospects,  feelings,  and  for- 
tunes so  widely  dissimilar.  But,  in  truth,  the  pro- 
jected voyage  to  the  East  can  hardly  be  regarded 
as  a  serious  incident  in  the  life  of  Josephine.  That 
she  herself  was  sincere  in  the  wish  expressed  to 
accompany  her  husband  there  can  be  no  doubt;  but 
the  general  always  opposed  the  intention,  and  only 
feigned  to  yield  to  her  favourite  argument,  that, 
being  a  Creole  by  birth,  her  constitution  would 
rather  be  improved  by  a  residence  in  a  southern 
climate.  Almost  every  letter,  as  appears  from 
those  intercepted  by  our  cruisers,  which  he  wrote 
during  the  first  months  of  the  expedition,  had  for 
its  object  to  combat  his  wife's  intention,  and  the 
fall  of  the  balcony  finally  decided  the  affair. 

Madame  Bonaparte  remained  at  Plombieres  till 
towards  autumn.  It  was  upon  the  occasion  of  this 
visit  that  she  attached  to  her  person  her  principal 
valet-de-chambre,  Carrat,  a  singular  character,  whose 
probity  and  long  services  permitted  and  excused 
many  eccentricities  and  freedoms  with  his  imperial 
mistress.  The  motives  which  induced  her  to  re- 
ceive this  domestic  into  her  service  shows  the  con- 
descension of  Josephine  towards  her  inferiors.  At 
this  time,  Carrat,  a  youth  of  some  address,  and  with 
nothing  to  do,  used  regularly  every  morning  to 
carry  to  the  hotel  a  nosegay,  which  he  presented  to 
Madame  Bonaparte,  in  such  an  original  manner, 
and  with  so  many  singular  speeches,  as  greatly  di- 
verted her  party,  and  especially  Hortense.  Having 


152  MEMOIRS    OF 

thus  excited  an  interest  in  his  situation,  he  made  his 
appearance,  as  usual,  on  the  morning  of  their  de- 
parture, and  with  tears  began  to  lament  his  hard 
lot,  in  losing  so  kind  a  benefactress.  Madame  Bo- 
naparte, with  her  wonted  goodness,  brought  her 
protege  to  Paris,  had  him  taught  by  a  celebrated 
artiste,  and  subsequently  attached  him  to  her  service 
as  valet-de-chambre-coiffeur.  Carrat  continued  to  be 
a  very  great  favourite,  and  often  furnished  much 
amusement, — his  excessive  cowardice,  in  particular, 
being  the  unlucky  subject  of  many  practical  jokes. 
One  or  two  of  these  may  show  some  of  the  domes- 
tic expedients  resorted  to,  in  order  to  kill  time, 
during  the  many  heavy  months  that  rolled  past 
without  news  from  Egypt.  One  evening,  soon 
after  the  purchase  of  Malmaison,  Carrat  received 
orders  to  attend  Madame  Bonaparte  and  her  daugh- 
ter, in  their  walk  upon  the  highway,  which  runs 
along  two  sides  of  the  park  belonging  to  that  once 
beautiful  retreait.  Enchanted  with  this  mark  of  dis- 
tinction, Carrat  obeyed  with  alacrity ;  but  had  not 
advanced  far,  when  he  beheld  slowly  emerge  from 
a  hollow  by  the  roadside  a  gigantic  phantom, 
clothed,  to  all  appearance,  in  a  winding-sheet.  No 
sooner  had  the  trembling  valet  perceived  this  ter- 
rific figure,  than  he  lost  all  sense  of  the  dignity  of 
his  situation,  as  guard  of  honour ;  and  sliding  behind 
the  ladies,  exclaimed, — "  Ah,  madam  !  a  spectre  ! 
a  spectre !  It's  the  ghost  of  the  lady  who  died  last 
night!"  The  phantom  continued  to  approach,  shak-  J 
ing  its  long  white  drapery.  Carrat  fell  down  in  a 
fit ;  and,  in  his  turn,  sadly  frightened  the  contrivers, 
lest  they  should  have  carried  their  plot  too  far.  It 
is  needless  to  add,  that  the  ghost  was  a  fellow-ser- 
vant, dressed  out  under  the  superintendence  of 
Hortense,  the  grand  actor  in  all  the  conspiracies 
fomented  at  Malmaison  against  ennui,  during  the 
tedious  winter  of  1798.  The  following  is  another 
instance  of  ingenious  tormenting. — The  unlucky 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  153 

Carrat  happened  to  occupy  a  sleeping-room  adjoin- 
ing to  a  small  closet,  but  separated  therefrom  by  a 
deal  partition.  A  hole  being  made  in  this  partition,  a 
cord  was  passed  through,  and  fastened  to  a  ves- 
sel full  of  water  suspended  from  the  ceiling  imme- 
diately above  the  bed,  in  the  dormitory  aforesaid. 
Thus,  by  pulling  the  string,  the  operator  in  the 
closet  could  reverse  the  perpendicularity  of  the  vase, 
and  so  discharge  its  refreshing  contents  on  the  un 
conscious  victim  below.  Nor  was  this  all.  The 
supports  of  the  bedstead  had  been  partly  removed, 
so  that  the  whole  fabric  might  be  precipitated,  the 
moment  the  incumbent  should  attempt  a  settlement. 
Things  being  duly  prepared,  the  actors  and  assist- 
ants, to  use  a  French  phrase,  consisting  of  Madame 
Bonaparte,  her  daughter,  and  the  ladies  of  her 
household,  took  their  station  in  the  closet.  Among 
his  other  singularities,  Carrat  always  went  to  bed 
without  a  light ;  so,  entering  in  the  dark,  he  per- 
ceived nothing  of  the  preparations  for  his  reception, 
until,  throwing  himself  heavily  on  his  pallet,  down 
he  came ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  crash  serving 
as  a  signal,  the  cord  was  twitched,  and  the  super- 
imminent  liquid  began  to  play  its  part  in  the  catas- 
trophe. Thus  prostrated  on  the  floor,  drenched 
from  above,  and  involved  in  profound  obscurity,  the 
unfortunate  serving-man,  driven  to  desperation, 
began  to  call  out  most  lustily,  "  Help !  murder ! 
fire  !  drowning !"  The  utter  inconsistency  of  these 
lamentations  entirely  overset  the  gravity  of  the  oper- 
ators in  the  closet ;  and  one  universal  burst  of  laugh- 
ter might  have  disclosed  to  Carrat  the  whole  secret 
of  his  persecution.  But  Hortense  had  still  some- 
thing in  reserve,  and  whispered,  loud  enough  to  be 
distinctly  heard  by  the  sufferer, — "  Oh,  mamma, 
how  much  the  poor  man  is  to  be  pitied ;  for  the  water 
is  full  of  toads,  frogs,  and  all  sorts  of  insects !" 
Upon  this,  the  vociferations  were  redoubled,  till 
Carrat  was  finally  relieved,  and  his  fright  com- 


154  MEMOIRS   OF 

pensated  by  a  douceur.  From  such  incidents  as 
these,  however,  it  must  not  be  inferred  that  Ma- 
dame Bonaparte  sported  unfeelingly  with  the  weak- 
ness of  her  dependants.  On  the  contrary,  she 
treated  them  with  a  familiarity  and  kindness  which 
made  Carrat  himself,  who  was  indulged  in  great 
license  of  remark,  almost  scold  his  mistress.  "  Now, 
madam,  see  to  it.  You  condescend  to  joke  with 
your  servants.  Well,  the  first  opportunity,  they 
will  treat  you  with  disrespect." — "  No,  no,  my  good 
Carrat,  it  is  a  contemptuous  condescension,  not  real 
affability,  which  would  encourage  such  a  breach  of 
duty."  And  Josephine  was  right.  Never  did  any 
one  more  completely  command  the  love  of  her 
domestics. 

Malmaison  has  been  incidentally  mentioned ;  but 
it  is  proper  that  something  more  should  be  said  con- 
cerning the  acquisition  of  a  residence  which  was 
the  scene  of  much  of  Josephine's  happiness  in  her 
grandeur,  and  the  retreat  where  she  sought  and  found 
repose  after  the  day-dream  of  empire  had  fled  for 
ever.  When,  through  the  protection  of  Barras,  she 
had  recovered  a  portion  of  her  husband's  estate,  it 
appears  to  have  been  the  intention  of  Madame  de 
Beauharnais  to  purchase  a  small  property  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  capital,  and  there,  in  retirement,  to 
devote  herself  to  the  education  of  her  children.  With 
these  views,  afterward  so  entirely  altered  by  events, 
she  had  cast  an  eye  upon  Malmaison,  a  small  resi- 
dence, surrounded  by  grounds  of  a  very  limited 
extent,  but  presenting  several  fine  prospects,  and 
otherwise  advantageously  situated.  This  property 
had  formed  part  of  the  national  domains ;  and  Barras 
undertook  to  arrange  the  purchase.  At  this  time 
Josephine  was  residing  with  her  aunt  at  Fontain- 
bleau.  The  following  is  the  letter  which  she  wrote 
to  the  director  in  answer  to  one  announcing  the 
successful  progress  of  the  affair  : 


THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  155 

"  To  Citizen  Barras, 
"  Member  of  the  Executive  Directory. 

"  SIR, — Nothing  could  be  more  agreeable  than  the 
statement  in  your  letter ;  yet  few  things  could  have 
less  surprised  me.  I  know  your  influence,  and  more 
especially  your  zeal.  I  felt  assured  of  your  interest ; 
and  was  not  less  confident  of  your  success.  Thus 
I  find  myself  certain  of  possessing  a  refuge  ;  and, 
thanks  to  the  benevolence  whose  delicacy  enhances 
the  benefit,  that  asylum  accords  with  my  wishes. 
There  I  can  resign  my  heart  to  its  tastes — tastes 
peaceable  and  pure — which  in  the  days  of  prosper- 
ity I  cultivated  through  caprice  or  from  fashion,  but 
which  I  now  cherish  from  predilection.  With  them 
I  have  also  inspired  my  children :  in  these  they  have 
already  experienced  the  amusement  of  their  early 
years,  and  there  they  will  continue  to  seek  the  en- 
joyment of  maturer  age.  Heirs  of  a  proscribed  sire, 
modesty  and  obscurity  suit  both  their  desires  and 
their  condition.  The  way  of  life  upon  which  we  are  to 
enter  at  Malmaison  befits  in  all  respects  our  inclina- 
tions and  situation ;  and,  notwithstanding  immense 
losses,  if  the  father  of  my  children  survived,  I  should 
not  have  a  single  wish  to  form.  But  had  he  lived, 
should  I  have  known  you  ?  should  I  have  been  unfor- 
tunate ?  or  should  I  have  experienced  how  much  be- 
nevolence may  sooth  the  unhappy  ?  Each  situation 
of  life  must  be  taken  with  all  its  chances ;  the  most 
painful  may  thus,  perhaps,  still  exhibit  something 
favourable,  and  of  that,  good  sense  consists  in  making 
the  most.  It  is  easy,  will  be  the  remark,  to  talk 
thus,  when  passion  no  longer  agitates.  I  have  un- 
dergone the  ordeal, — a  course  of  suffering,  when  for 
many  months  I  could  not  even  conceive  one  day  of 
gladness.  I  had  then  only  a  choice  of  misfortunes. 
I  believe  them  passed ;  and  what  you  are  now  doing 
for  me  renews  my  life.  In  devoting  it  to  solitude, 
to  study,  and  to  the  education  of  my  children,  I  shall 


156  MEMOIRS   OF 

consecrate  it  to  tranquil  happiness,  and  to  our  un- 
alterable gratitude." 

As  already  related,  Barras,  by  promoting  her 
second  marriage,  rendered  other  arrangements  less 
necessary,  and  the  purchase  of  Malmaison  was  post- 
poned. The  address  and  tenor  of  the  preceding 
letter,  however,  would  lead  us  to  inquire  into  the 
truth  of  reports  circulated  to  the  prejudice  of  Jose- 
phine, regarding  the  nature  of  her  connexion  with 
the  director.  But  upon  the  most  mature  inquiry,  we 
find  nothing  imputable  either  to  the  prudence  or  the 
virtue  of  her  conduct.  During  the  season  of  power, 
she  lived  the  victim  of  rancorous  enemies  and  jeal- 
ous relatives,  who  envied  and  feared  the  influence 
which  she  rightfully  possessed  over  the  mind  of  her 
husband ;  the  very  possession  of  which  influence, 
be  it  remembered,  despite  of  his  own  wayward  dis- 
positions, incited  by  these  means,  and  even  at  last  of 
his  interested  inclinations,  is  the  most  triumphant 
proof  of  Josephine's  innocence.  The  fabrications 
then  invented  to  the  prejudice  of  her  reputation  have 
been  repeated  and  believed  among  us,  not  from  hos- 
tility against  a  woman  more  generally  admired  and 
pitied  than  blamed,  but  because  they  implied  vileness 
in  the  rise,  and  dishonour  even  in  the  greatness,  of 
him  whose  political  acts  were  opposed  to  our  national 
prosperity.  Time  it  is  that  justice  be  rendered  to 
the  injured  ;  and  if  these  pages  shall  conduce  to  the 
cause,  they  will  not  have  been  written  in  vain.  There 
are  few  pleasures  equal  to  the  benevolent  feeling 
experienced  on  the  removal  of  a  suspicion  against 
one  whom  we  are  otherwise  inclined  to  love. 

The  first  intentions  of  purchasing  Malmaison  were 
thus  interrupted  ;  but  when,  during  the  Egyptian 
campaign,  Bonaparte  had  expressed  a  desire  to  pos 
sess  a  country  house  near  Paris,  the  design  was 
again  resumed.  The  general  had  intrusted  this 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  157 

commission  to  his  brother  Joseph,  as  appears  from 
the  following  letter,  which  was  intercepted  by  our 
cruisers,  and  published,  but  discredited :  circum- 
stances afterward  proved  its  authenticity : 

"  Cairo,  1th  Thermidor  (27th  July),  1798. 

"  You  will  see  from  the  public  papers  and  bulletins 
that  Egypt  is  ours,  and  that  the  conquest  has  been 
sufficiently  disputed  to  add  another  laurel  to  the 
military  glory  of  this  army.  Egypt,  in  grain,  rice, 
vegetables,  and  cattle,  is  the  richest  country  which 
exists  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  Barbarity  is  at  its 
height.  There  is  no  money  to  be  got ;  not  even  to 
pay  the  troops. 

"  I  shall  be  in  France  in  two  months.  Arrange  in 
such  a  way,  that  on  my  arrival  I  may  have  a  coun- 
try house,  either  near  Paris  or  in  Burgundy. 

"  To  citizen  Joseph  Bonaparte,  deputy  to  the 

"  Council  of  Five  Hundred." 

This  communication  of  course  did  not  reach  its 
destination  ;  and,  besides,  Joseph  was  too  busy  with 
his  own  affairs  to  be  able  to  give  much  attention  to 
the  merely  personal  comforts  of  his  brother.  But 
Josephine,  ever  anxiously  solicitous  to  anticipate 
her  husband's  slightest  wish,  was  more  attentive, 
and  after  some  hesitation  between  Ris  and  Malmai- 
son,  purchased  the  latter  for  the  sum  of  a  hundred 
and  sixty  thousand  francs  (rather  more  than  six 
thousand  guineas).  The  grounds,  however,  being 
originally  very  confined,  were  enlarged  by  subsequent 
purchases,  which  raised  the  whole  value  of  the  prop- 
erty to  four  hundred  thousand  francs,  or  nearly 
17,OOOZ.  sterling.  In  embellishments,  statues,  paint- 
ings, furniture,  and  in  reparations  and  additions  to 
the  house,  enormous  sums  were  at  different  times 
expended. 

In  this  retreat,  occupied  by  its  modest  improve- 
ment, and  the  education  of  her  daughter,  Josephine 
O 


158  MEMOIRS  OF 

passed  the  winter  and  succeeding  summer  of  the 
Egyptian  expedition.  Her  visiters,  indeed,  were  nu- 
merous— that  was  a  necessary  consequence  of  rank 
and  favour ;  but  her  intimates  were  very  few,  and  se- 
lected from  among  her  ancient  female  friends.  Her 
intercourse  with  society,  too,  was  rather  extended 
than  diminished ;  for  the  interests  of  her  husband 
required  that  she  should  maintain  that  influence  which 
as  yet  rested  solely  on  an  understanding  with  those 
in  power  ;  while  her  fears  and  affections  equally 
prompted  to  watchfulness  over  the  party  feuds  and 
varying  relations  of  political  connexion.  All  this, 
however,  was  conducted  with  that  prudence  and  dis- 
cernment which,  securing  every  advantage  to  one  in 
such  a  situation  of  living  in  the  great  world,  observes 
and  influences,  without  provoking  observation  or 
remark  in  return.  Accordingly,  numerous  docu- 
ments might  be  quoted,  in  proof  of  the  interest  which, 
during  this  period,  Madame  Bonaparte  enjoyed  with 
the  members  of  the  Directory,  and  of  that  interest 
having  been  more  frequently  employed  in  aid  of  the 
unfortunate  than  for  personal  purposes.  The  objects 
of  her  intercession  were  chiefly  emigrants,  many  of 
whom  at  this  time,  and  still  greater  numbers  after- 
ward, were,  through  her  means,  restored  to  their 
homes.  ,0f  those  who  were  thus  so  deeply  obliged, 
all  did  not  continue  to  cherish  a  grateful  remem- 
brance of  their  benefactress.  From  the  letters  writ- 
ten on  these  occasions,  the  following  is  selected,  as 
characteristic  at  once  of  the  writer's  generosity  and 
candour,  while  it  shows  the  influence  commanded  by 
her  recommendation.  It  was  written  to  a  M.  de 
Sansal,  whose  family  had  been  known  to  Josephine 
previous  to  the  Revolution : 

"  SIR, — Your  petition,  which  reached  Malmaison 
on  the  12th,  was  presented  the  same  evening,  and 
by  myself,  to  citizen  Barras.  On  the  morrow,  it 
was  referred  to  the  proper  office  ;  placed  on  the  list 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  159 

on  the  14th ;  examined  for  the  first  time  on  the  16th, 
and  yesterday  (20th)  the  definitive  sentence  was 
laid  before  government.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  an- 
nounce to  you,  sir,  that  this  decision  is  favourable  ; 
and  that,  now  erased  from  the  fatal  list,  you  are  re- 
stored to  all  the  rights  of  a  French  citizen.  But  in 
transmitting  a  communication  not  less  agreeable  to 
me  than  to  yourself,  permit  me  to  enhance  its  value 
by  repeating  to  you  the  exact  words  with  which  it 
was  accompanied  by  the  director  :  1 1  have  usually 
little  to  deny  to  you,  madam,'  said  he,  presenting 
me  with  the  sealed  enclosure,  containing  me  act  of 
restoration  ;  '  and  certainly,  when  humanity  is  con- 
cerned, I  can  have  far  less  objection ;  but  pity  for 
misfortune  does  not  exclude  justice,  and  justice  is 
inseparable  from  a  love  of  truth.  That  feeling  con- 
strains me  to  give  M.  de  Sansal  a  salutary  advice. — 
As  unfortunate,  M.  de  Sansal  merits  commiseration ; 
but  as  an  emigrant,  he  can  have  right  to  none.  I 
will  say  more  :  had  I  been  disposed  to  be  severe, 
there  existed  a  cause  for  stern  reprisals  on  the  part 
of  a  government  to  whose  kindness  he  replies  by 
insults.  Although  I  despise  those  of  such  a  man,  I 
appreciate  them  :  they  prove  an  ungrateful  heart, 
and  a  narrow  mind.  Others  have  done  the  evil — we 
endeavour  to  repair  it :  that  surely  is  no  reason  why 
we  should  be  disliked.  If  it  be  the  cause  of  M.  de 
Sansal's  hatred,  let  him  keep  such  baseness  secret ; 
for  in  expressing  it  he  will  expose  himself  to  trou- 
blesome returns ;  and  all  my  colleagues  are  not 
equally  indulgent.' 

"  Blame  only  yourself,  sir,  for  the  small  share  of 
amenity  in  these  counsels.  They  are  harsh,  perhaps, 
but  useful ;  and  you  will  do  well  to  render  them  ef- 
fective. Regard  also  the  faithfulness  with  which  I 
transcribe  them,  as  a  proof  of  the  deep  interest  1 
take  in  your  welfare,  and  of  my  anxiety  that  the  in- 
terference of  your  friends  may  be  justified  by  your 
future  conduct." 


160  MEMOIRS    OF 

While  Josephine  thus  possessed  the  power  to  pro- 
tect others,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  her  influence 
or  knowledge  would  remain  unexercised  in  her  hus- 
band's behalf.  Doubtless  the  information  which  she 
afterward  communicated  to  the  general,  on  his  re- 
turn, tended  to  the  success  of  the  measures  which 
he  then  adopted ;  while  the  presence  of  his  wife  at 
Paris  rendered  his  situation  less  hazardous  in  Cairo. 
The  correspondence,  however,  which  has  been  con- 
fidently stated  as  regularly  taking  place  between 
them,  overland,  by  various  routes,  is  all  a  fabrica- 
tion. During  the  early  period  of  the  expedition, 
indeed,  while  our  cruisers  had  not  so  completely 
blocked  up  the  Mediterranean,  as  the  destruction  of 
the  French  fleet  at  Aboukir  afterward  enabled  them 
to  effect,  such  intercourse  was  not  unfrequent.  And 
though,  from  time  to  time,  throughout  the  whole  of 
the  campaign,  a  lucky  chance  brought  communica- 
tions from  Egypt,  not  one,  for  many  a  month  before 
his  own  adventurous  flight,  reached  Bonaparte  from 
France.  Of  hastening  that  melancholy  voyage 
Josephine  was  not  only  not  the  cause,  by  her  letters, 
but,  as  will  appear,  she  remained  in  total  ignorance 
of  his  movements,  up  to  the  hour  of  her  husband's 
landing  on  the  territory  of  France. 

During  the  first  months  of  the  expedition,  while, 
as  just  stated,  an  almost  uninterrupted  correspond- 
ence took  place,  Bonaparte's  letters  to  his  wife 
expressed  the  most  tender  and  confiding  affection. 
This  continued,  when,  by  chance,  communications 
reached  home,  up  to  the  period  of  the  departure  for 
Syria.  But  Josephine  was  surrounded  in  her  retreat 
at  Malmaison  by  concealed  enemies,  who  eagerly 
watched  in  order  to  misrepresent  every  action ;  and 
in  the  Syrian  camp  there  were  found  creatures  base 
enough  to  become  the  instruments  of  conveying 
these  slanders  to  their  destination.  The  reader  is 
referred  to  the  scene  at  the  springs  of  Messoudiah,  be- 
tween Junot  and  his  commander,  which,  as  depicted 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  161 

by  Bourrienne,  forms  one  of  the  most  dramatic 
and  striking  passages  recorded  in  the  history  of  hu- 
man jealousy  and  weakness.  Her  accusers,  too, 
possessed  here  an  advantage  over  Josephine,  in  that, 
while  they  had  infused  the  poison,  application  of  the 
remedy  was  hourly  becoming  more  difficult.  So  ad- 
verse, indeed,  were  circumstances  in  this  respect, 
that,  while  the  dreadful  truth  of  her  honour  having 
been  attacked,  and  the  accusation  having  been  cred- 
ited, too  fatally  appeared  in  the  letters  received  from 
her  husband,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  following 
artless  but  convincing  reply  was  received  by  Bona- 
parte until  after  his  return  to  France.  Two  things 
are  certain, — that  he  came  home  unreconciled,  and 
that  his  letters,  written  immediately  after  the  indis- 
creet and  unmanly  conduct  of  Junot,  almost  broke 
Josephine's  heart.  Her  appeal  against  these  inju- 
rious aspersions  is  noble  in  itself,  and  must  prove  in- 
teresting to  the  reader,  from  the  incidental  traits- 
which  it  contains  of  her  character  and  situation  at 
the  present  period  of  our  narrative  : 

Josephine,  to  General  Bonaparte. 

"  Can  it  be  possible,  my  friend  ?  is  the  letter  in- 
deed yours  which  I  have  just  received  1  Scarcely 
can  I  give  it  credence,  on  comparing  the  present 
with  those  now  before  me,  and  to  which  your  love 
gave  so  many  charms  !  my  eyes  cannot  doubt  that 
those  pages  which  rend  my  heart  are  too  surely 
yours ;  but  my  soul  refuses  to  admit  that  yours 
could  have  dictated  those  lines,  which,  to  the  ardent 
joy  experienced  on  hearing  from  you,  have  caused 
to  succeed  the  mortal  grief  of  reading  the  expres- 
sions of  a  displeasure,  the  more  afflicting  to  me  that 
it  must  have  proved  a  source  of  fearful  pain  to  you. 

"  I  am  wholly  ignorant  in  what  I  can  have  offended, 
to  create  an  enemy  so  determined  to  ruin  my  re- 
pose by  interrupting  yours ;  but  surely  it  must  be  a 
O2 


162  MEMOIRS   OF 

grave  reason  which  can  thus  induce  some  one  un- 
ceasingly to  renew  against  me  calumnies  of  such  a 
specious  nature  as  to  be  admitted,  even  for  a  mo- 
ment, by  one  who  hitherto  has  deemed  me  worthy 
of  his  entire  affection  and  confidence.  These  two 
sentiments  are  necessary  to  my  happiness  ;  and  if 
they  were  so  speedily  to  be  refused  me,  ah !  why 
was  I  ever  made  sensible  of  the  delight  of  possess- 
ing them  ]  Far  better  would  it  have  been  for  me 
never  to  have  known  you  ! 

"  When  I  first  became  acquainted  with  you,  over 
whelmed  in  sadness  from  the  sorrows  that  had  over 
taken  me,  I  believed  it  impossible  that  I  should  evei 
again  feel  a  sentiment  approaching  to  love.  The 
scenes  of  blood  I  had  witnessed,  and  whose  victim 
I  had  been,  pursued  me  everywhere.  Such  were 
the  causes  which  prevented  apprehension  in  often 
meeting  you  :  little  did  I  imagine  that  I  could  for  a 
single  instant  fix  your  choice.  As  did  all  the  world, 
I  admired  your  genius  and  your  talents ;  more  truly 
than  any  other  did  1  foresee  your  coming  glory ;  but 
notwithstanding  all  this  I  was  unmoved, — loving  you 
only  for  the  services  you  had  rendered  to  my  coun- 
try. You  should  have  left  me  to  cherish  this  admi- 
ration, and  not  have  sought  to  render  it  impassioned, 
by  employing  those  means  of  pleasing  which  you 
above  all  men  possess,  if,  so  soon  after  having  united 
your  destiny  to  mine,  you  were  to  regret  the  felicity 
wnich  you  alone  had  taught  me  to  enjoy. 

"  Do  you  believe  that  it  is  possible  for  me  ever  to 
forget  your  cares  and  your  love  1  Think  you  I  can 
ever  become  indifferent  about  one  who  sweetens 
existence  by  all  that  is  delightful  in  passion  1  Can 
I  ever  efface  from  my  memory  your  kindness  to  Hor- 
tense — your  counsel  and  example  to  Eugene.?  If  this 
appear  to  you  impossible,  how  can  you  suspect  me 
of  being  interested  for  a  single  moment  in  what  is 
alien  to  you  1 

"Oh! 'my  friend,  in  place  of  lending  an  ear  to 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  183 

impostors,  who,  from  motives  which  I  explain  not, 
seek  to  ruin  our  happiness,  why  do  you  not  rather 
reduce  them  to  silence,  by  the  recital  of  your  bene- 
fits to  a  woman  whose  character  has  never  incurred 
the  suspicion  of  ingratitude  1  On  hearing  what  you 
have  done  for  my  children,  my  traducers  would  be 
silent,  since  they  must  know  that,  as  a  mother,  I 
•first  became  attached  to  you.  Since  that  event,  so 
dear  to  my  remembrance,  your  conduct,  admired  as 
it  has  been  throughout  the  whole  of  Europe,  has,  in 
my  heart,  but  awakeiled  deeper  adoration  of  the  hus- 
band who  made  choice  of  me,  poor  as  I  was,  and 
unhappy.  Every  step  which  you  take  adds  to  the 
splendour  of  the  name  I  bear — and  is  such  a  moment 
seized  to  persuade  you  that  I  no  longer  love  you ! 
What  absurdity — or  rather  what  vileness  on  the  part 
of  your  companions,  jealous  as  they  are  of  your  marked 
superiority.  Yes,  my  friend,  I  love  you  with  a  sin- 
cerity known  well,  even  to  those  who  assert  the  con- 
trary. They  must  be  conscious  of  wronging  me, 
for  several  times  have  I  written  to  them  in  order 
thus  to  hear  of  you,  to  entreat  them  to  watch  over 
you,  and  by  their  affection  to  console  you  for  the 
absence  of  yowf  friend ;  finally,  to  keep  me  informed 
of  every  thing  connected  with  you.  But  how  have 
these  people  acted,  who  pretend  such  devotion,  in 
whom  you  confide,  and  according  to  whose  report 
you  judge  me  with  inconceivable  injustice  1  They 
conceal  from  you  whatever  might  lessen  the  pain  of 
absence ;  they  take  advantage  of  your  suspicious 
character  in  order  to  create  disquietudes  that  may 
induce  you  to  quit  a  country  which  they  detest ;  and 
the  more  they  irritate  you  the  better  they  are  pleased. 
Such  is  the  light  in  which  things  appear  to  me, 
while  you  are  deceived  regarding  their  perfidious 
intentions.  Believe  me,  my  friend,  so  soon  as  you 
ceased  to  be  their  equal  you  became  theivfoe  ;  your 
victories  even  are  but  so  many  mot*  ves  for  their 
hating  you. 


164  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  J  know  these  intrigues,  though  I  disdain  to  avenge 
myself  by  naming  men  whom  I  despise,  but  whose 
valour  and  abilities  maybe  useful  to  you  in  the  grand 
enterprise  so  happily  commenced.  On  your  return 
I  will  disclose  my  secret,  and  show  you  who  are 
those  envious  of  your  glory.  But  no — when  we  are 
united  once  again,  I  shall  forget  all  the  evil  which 
they  would  have  wrought  me,  to  remember  only 
the  exertions  which  they  may  have  made  in  youi 
service. 

"  It  is  true  I  see  much  company,  for  every  one 
strives  to  be  foremost  in  complimenting  me  on  youi 
success,  and  I  confess  that  I  have  not  the  resolution 
to  shut  my  door  against  any  one  who  comes  to  speak 
of  you.  My  male  visiters  even  are  very  numerous  ; 
they  comprehend  your  daring  achievements  better 
than  women ;  they  talk  with  enthusiasm  of  all  your 
noble  deeds,  while  at  the  same  time  they  cannot  com- 
plain of  your  having  taken  with  you  their  spouse, 
their  brother,  or  their  father.  Women  fall  upon 
these  subjects,  and  when  they  do  not  praise  you, 
they  no  longer  please  me.  Still  it  is  among  my  own 
sex  that  I  find  those  whose  heart  and  understanding 
I  prefer  to  all,  because  their  friendship  for  you  is 
sincere.  Of  these  I  place  first  the  names  of  the 
accomplished  ladies  D'Aiguillon,  Tallien,  and  my 
aunt.  These  are  my  intimates — I  never  quit  them 
and  they  will  tell  you,  ungrateful  as  thou  art,  if  I 
have  thought  '  of  playing  the  coquette  with  all  the 
1  world?  These  are  your  own  expressions,  and  they 
would  be  odious  to  me  were  I  not  certain  that  you 
have  disavowed,  and  at  this  moment  are  sorry  for 
having  written  them. 

"I  tremble  when  I  think  of  the  dangers  which 
surround  you — of  more  than  half  of  which  J  should 
be  ignorant,  did  not  Eugene  reiterate  his  requests  to 
me  to  write  you  not  to  expose  yourself  to  perils,  and  to 
take  more  care  of  a  life,  not  only  dear  to  your  family 
and  your  friends,  but  upon  which  hangs  the  destiny 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  165 

ot  your  brethren  in  arms,  and  of  thousands  of  brave 
followers  who  could  have  courage  to  endure  so  many 
fatigues  while  under  your  eye  alone.  Let  me  con- 
jure you,  my  friend,  not  to  exceed  your  strength, 
and  to  listen  less  to  your  own  daring  than  to  the 
counsels  of  those  who  love  you.  Berthier,  Bour- 
rienne,  Eugene,  Caffarelli,less  ardent,  may  also  some- 
times see  more  clearly.  They  are  devoted  to  you ; 
listen,  then,  to  them,  but  to  them  only — you  under- 
stand me  ?— then  both  you  and  I  will  be  happier. 

"  Here  I  receive  honours  which  sometimes  cause 
me  embarrassment.  Besides,  being  little  accus- 
tomed to  such  homage,  I  see  they  displease  our 
authorities,  who,  always  distrustful  and  apprehensive 
of  losing  their  power,  are  ever  on  the  watch.  Dis- 
regard these  people,  you  will  say;  but,  my  friend, 
they  will  endeavour  to  hurt  you ;  they  will  accuse 
you  of  seeking  to  lessen  their  power ;  and  I  should 
be  grieved  to  contribute  in  aught  to  a  jealousy  which 
your  triumphs  sufficiently  justify.  When  you  shall 
return  covered  with  new  laurels,  good  heavens! 
what  will  they  do,  if  already  they  are  on  the  rack ! 
I  cannot  calculate  where  their  resentment  will  stop ; 
but  then  you  will  be  by  my  side,  and  T  shall  feel  - 
secure. 

"  Let  us  think  no  more  of  them,  nor  of  your  sus- 
picions, which  I  will  not  refute  one  by  one,  because 
they  are  all  equally  devoid  of  probability.  But  to 
repose  from  disagreeables,  let  me  conclude  with 
some  details  which  will  interest  you,  because  they 
affect  me. 

"Hortense,  that  she  may  console  me  so  far  as 
depends  upon  her,  employs  all  her  little  art  to  con- 
ceal her  fears  on  your  account  and  her  brother's, 
and  puts  in  requisition  all  the  resources  of  her  mind, 
in  order  to  dissipate  that  sadness — to  you  so  dubious 
—which  yet  never  leaves  me.  By  her  talents,  and 
the  charm  of  her  conversation,  she  sometimes  con- 
trives to  call  up  a  smile;  then,  in  her  joy,  she 


166  MEMOIRS    OF 

exclaims,  'Dear  mamma,  they  shall  know  that  in 
Cairo  /'  Cairo !  the  name  instantly  reminds  me  of 
the  distance  which  separates  me  from  my  husband 
and  my  son — and  my  grief  returns.  I  am  thus 
obliged,  by  great  effort,  to  dissemble  with  my  daugh- 
ter, who,  by  a  word — a  look  even — transports  me  to 
those  scenes  whence  she  would  win  my  reflections. 

"  In  the  graces  of  her  person  Hortense  improves 
daily ;  she  dresses  with  taste ;  and,  certainly  without 
being  nearly  so  beautiful  as  your  sisters,  she  could 
hardly  fail  to  please  even  when  they  are  present. 
My  good  aunt  passes  her  life  in  suffering,  without 
complaint,  consoling  the  afflicted,  talking  to  me  of 
you,  and  in  making  verses.  As  for  me,  I  beguile 
the  time  in  writing  to  you,  listening  to  your  praises, 
or  reading  the  journals,  where  your  name  occurs  in 
every  page.  I  am  ever  thinking  of  you ;  now  trans- 
porting myself  to  the  time  when  I  shall  see  you 
every  hour — now  plunged  in  sorrow  at  the  thoughts 
of  the  space  which  must  elapse  before  your  return ; 
and  when  I  thus  conclude,  I  again  begin.  Are  these, 
then,  the  signs  of  indifference  ?  I  wish  for  none  other 
on  your  part ;  and  if  you  feel  thus  for  me,  I  shall 
not  think  myself  altogether  an  object  of  pity,  de- 
spite the  small  slanders  which  they  would  fain  have 
me  credit  respecting  a  certain  fair  one,  who,  they 
tell  me,  interests  you  deeply.  Why  should  I  doubt 
you?  You  assure  me  that  I  am  beloved.  I  judge 
of  you  by  my  own  heart — and  I  believe  you. 

"  God  knows  when  or  where  this  letter  may  reach 
you:  may  it  restore  to  you  a  repose  which  you 
ought  never  to  have  foregone,  and  more  than  ever 
give  you  an  assurance,  that,  while  I  live,  you  will 
be  dear  to  me  as  on  the  day  of  our  last  separation 
Farewell,  my  only  friend !  Confide  in  me — love  me, 
and  receive  a  thousand  tender  caresses." 

The  candour,  tenderness,  and  delicacy  of  this 
letter  may  safely  be  left  to  the  reader,  in  whose 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  167 

reflection  the  innocence  of  the  writer  will  doubtless 
constitute  the  prominent  conviction.  It  seems  im- 
possible that  such  should  be  the  composition  of  a 
guilty  mind,  even  had  we  no  other  assurance  of  the 
purity  of  Josephine's.  How  well,  too,  her  profes- 
sions of  attachment  agree  with  those  expressed  at 
a  previous  period,  and  unknown  to  its  object,  appears 
from  the  following  note,  written  during  the  earlier 
part  of  the  Italian  campaign.  Both  documents,  it 
will  likewise  be  observed,  prove  the  correctness  of 
those  details  already  given,  respecting  the  merely 
prudential  motives  which  in  the  first  place  originated, 
and  the  ardent  attachment  which  succeeded,  their 
marriage. 

Madame  Bonaparte,  to  her  Aunt. 

"  Are  you  happy  ?  Such,  my  dear  aunt,  is  the 
question  which  you  put  to  me,  and  to  which  more 
than  one  answer  may  be  given.  Yes,  I  am  happy, 
both  as  a  mother  and  as  a  wife.  Were  there  ever 
children  more  amiable,  more  beloved,  or  more 
deserving  of  affection  1  is  there  a  husband  who  can 
confer  higher  respect  on  her  whom  he  honours  with 
his  name  1  Yet  it  is  he — it  is  that  adored  husband 
who  constitutes  at  once  my  glory  and  my  misery. 
Ah !  how  many  sleepless  nights  do  his  victories  cost 
me !  Probably  he  would  be  less  ambitious  of  laurels 
did  he  behold  each  leaf  of  his  bedewed  with  my 
tears.  But  what  do  I  say  ?  The  wife  of  a  French- 
man, ought  I  not  also  to  bear  a  French  heart  ?  Before 
I  was  a  wife — before  I  was  a  mother,  I  was  a  citizen ; 
and  did  not  Alexander  teach  me  to  prefer  that  to 
every  other  title  ]  His  worthy  successor,  who  pos- 
sesses all  my  love,  is  likewise  the  heir  of  his  senti- 
ments ;  let  me,  by  participating  in  the  same,  merit 
the  honoured  title  of  the  widow  of  De  Beauharnais, 
and  the  honourable  title  of  the  wife  of  Bonaparte. 
What  an  illustrious  association  of  glory !  How  noble 


168  MEMOIRS    OF 

a  communion  of  fame !    May  the  happiness  which 
fled  from  the  one  ever  attend  upon  the  other !" 

While  thus  suffering  under  a  twofold  cause  of 
unhappiness, — absence  from  the  husband  of  her 
affections,  and  the  still  more  bitter  consciousness  of 
his  ungrateful  suspicions,  the  love  of  her  children 
still  remained  the  stay  upon  which  Josephine's  heart 
reposed  its  hopes  and  attachments.  In  the  preceding 
letter  to  the  general,  she  mentions  the  solicitude  of 
Eugene  for  his  safety,  but  delicately  omits  to  state 
how  frequently  her  own  letters  to  her  son  contained 
injunctions  to  the  same  effect.  This  correspondence, 
indeed,  formed  one  of  her  most  pleasing  resources. 
The  following  letter  is  selected  as  agreeable  in  itself, 
and  as  filling  up  the  picture  of  Josephine's  domestic  life 
at  this  period,  hitherto  so  unjustly  misrepresented : 

Madame  Bonaparte,  to  Eugene. 

"I  learn,  with  the  greatest  pleasure,  my  dear 
Eugene,  that  you  have  held  a  line  of  conduct  worthy 
of  your  own  name  and  of  the  protector  under  whose 
eye  you  enjoy  the  happiness  of  learning  how  to 
become  a  great  captain. 

"  Bonaparte  writes  me  that  you  are  every  thing 
that  he  desires.  As  he  is  no  flatterer,  my  heart 
experiences  great  joy  when  I  read  your  praises 
traced  by  a  pen  which,  in  general,  is  not  prodigal 
of  eulogy.  You  know  I  have  ever  considered  yours 
as  a  soul  capable  of  great  enterprises,  and  I  have 
never  doubted  of  that  brilliant  courage  which  is 
your  heritage;  but  you  know,  also,  how  much  I 
ever  dreaded  seeing  you  removed  from  me,  fearing, 
as  I  did,  lest  your  natural  impetuosity  should  some- 
times carry  you  too  far,  and  prevent  your  submitting 
to  the  thousand  petty  obligations  of  discipline  so 
disagreeable  to  one  in  a  subaltern  rank.  Judge, 
then,  of  my  satisfaction  on  receiving  the  assurance 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  169 

that  you  have  remembered  my  advice,  and  are  as 
submissive  to  your  superiors  as  you  are  kind  and 
humane  to  those  under  your  command.  This  con- 
duct, my  son,  renders  me  happy.  These  words  will, 
I  know,  be  esteemed  by  you  a  more  precious  re- 
compense than  every  other  reward.  Read  them 
often,  then,  and  assure  yourself  that  your  mother, 
though  distant  from  the  son  of  her  love,  complains 
not  of  her  lot,  .since  yours  promises  to  be  brilliant 
as  it  deserves. 

"  Your  sister  participates  in  all  these  my  feelings ; 
she  is  now  writing,  and  will  tell  you  so  herself ;  but 
what  she  will  not  boast  of,  and  which  I  must  there- 
fore state,  is  her  attention  to  me  and  our  aunt.  It  is 
impossible  to  give  you  an  idea  even  of  her  amiable- 
ness  in  this  respect,  nor  of  half  her  affectionate  con- 
trivances to  beguile  us  of  our  anxieties.  Love  her, 
my  son,  for  she  forms  my  consolation,  and  is  devoted 
to  you.  She  continues  her  studies  with  great  suc- 
cess, but  music,  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  will  prove 
the  accomplishment  in  which  she  is  destined  to  ex- 
cel. Her  agreeable  voice,  now  much  improved,  and 
the  style  of  her  execution,  will  greatly  surprise  you. 
I  have  just  purchased  for  her  a  piano,  the  excellence 
of  which  seems  to  have  redoubled  her  passion  for 
your  favourite  art, — a  preference  probably  not  a  little 
contributing  to  your  sister's  predilection. 

"  If  you  were  here,  you  would  a  hundred  times  a 
day  advise  me  to  take  care  of  the  men  who  offer 
attentions  to  Hortense,  in  a  manner  sufficiently 
marked.  There  are  some  very  urgent  in  their  ad- 
dresses, who  are  no  favourites  of  yours,  and  whom 
you  apprehend  she  may  prefer.  Reassure  yourself 
on  that  point ;  she  is  somewhat  of  a  coquette,  and 
enj  oy  s  her  success  by  tormenting  her  victims ;  but  her 
heart  is  free.  I  am  the  confidant  of  all  her  thoughts 
and  sentiments ;  these  are  ever  as  they  should  be. 
She  knows  that  henceforth  my  consent  alone  will 
not  suffice  in  the  question  of  marriage,  and  that  my 
P 


170  MEMOIRS    OF 

wishes  even  will  be  determined  by  his  to  whom  we 
owe  all.  This  will  guard  her  against  any  choice 
which  would  not  be  approved  of  by  Bonaparte,  and 
he  will  never  bestow  your  sister's  hand  save  on  a 
brother  in  arms,  as  seems  also  to  be  your  desire. 

"  Our  society  is  always  agreeable,  from  a  mixture 
of  distinguished  artists  and  men  of  letters,  who 
meet  our  grave  politicians.  The  latter  would  prove 
great  bores,  were  they  not  thus  obliged  to  talk  of 
something  else  than  politics, — a  subject  not  very 
interesting  to  the  ladies,  who  comprehend  nothing 
about  the  matter.  Only  let  France  be  happy — this 
is  all  we  wish,  without  giving  ourselves  the  trouble 
to  inquire  by  what  means  such  happiness  is  to  be 
secured.  That  care  belongs  to  the  magistrates  who 
govern,  and  the  brave  men  who  defend  the  country ; 
ours  is  only,  or  ought  to  be,  the  delightful  task  to 
encourage  them,  by  approval,  to  perseverance ;  a 
duty,  I  assure  you,  which  we  discharge  with  all 
faithfulness. 

"  Speak  to  me  as  often  as  possible  of  Bonaparte,  of 
yourself,  and  about  our  friends ;  but  conceal  every 
thing  which  might  induce  me  to  suppose  that  you 
have  enemies  among  your  companions.  That  would 
prove  too  afflicting  an  addition  to  the  sorrow  occa- 
sioned by  my  separation  from  you,  by  exciting  ap- 
prehensions of  those  quarrels  which  spring  up  with- 
out cause,  and  too  often  end  in  a  tragical  close  !  I 
stand  in  need  of  the  support  which  I  wish  to  derive 
from  the  belief  that  your  adopted  father  has  around 
him  none  but  admirers,  and  that  you  meet  only  with 
protectors  and  advisers  of  your  youth. 

"  Adieu,  my  dear  son.  I  know  it  is  very  useless 
to  repeat  here,  that  my  affection  passes  all  bounds ; 
for  of  that  you  are  convinced ;  but  I  find  so  much 
pleasure  in  prosing  upon  the  subject,  that  you  must 
even  bear  with  me.  Besides,  I  am  not  afraid  of 
tiring  you  with  those  family  details  which  would 
appear  trifling  to  most  men,  surrounded  as  you  are 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  171 

by  objects  so  interesting  and  important.  I  know  you 
love  your  relations  even  more  than  renown;  and 
therefore  I  prattle  away  of  our  affairs  at  great 
length.  So,  my  beloved  Eugene,  accept  a  thousand 
renewed  assurances  of  your  mother's  attachment ; 
and  allow  her  to  give  you  in  fancy  all  those  marks 
of  endearment  which  she  would  much  rather  lavish 
upon  you  in  reality. 

"  Write  me  as  often  as  you  possibly  can.  Even 
that  will  not  be  enough." 

Among  her  other  recreations,  the  cultivation  of 
flowers,  at  this  period,  beguiled  Josephine  of  many 
a  heavy  hour.  Some  part  of  every  day  she  passed 
in  superintending  her  gardeners ;  and  often  both 
mother  and  daughter  were  to  be  found  in  the  grounds 
of  Malmaison,  watering,  pruning,  or  transplanting 
particular  favourite  plants,  with  their  own  hands. 
The  disappointments  of  after-life,  and,  perhaps,  ill 
health,  seem  to  have  wrought  a  change  in  the  tastes 
of  Hortense ;  but  this  simple  love  of  nature  re- 
mained with  her  mother  through  life.  The  following 
note  shows  with  how  much  simplicity  this  amuse- 
ment was  pursued,  and  that,  as  yet,  those  of  Madame 
Bonaparte  were  any  thing  but  expensive  pleasures : 

Note  for  Hortense  at  Fontairibleau. 

"  MY  DEAREST  GIRL, — There  grows  in  the  forest 
of  Fontainbleau  a  plant  of  the  genus  Chenopodium, 
named  Blete  effilee,  and  is  the  spinach-strawberry  of 
gardeners.  You  will  easily  distinguish  it  by  the 
peculiarity  of  bearing  fruit  shaped  and  coloured 
exactly  like  strawberries.  As  it  is  a  deep-rooted 
plant,  and  does  not  agree  with  transplanting,  you 
will  take  care  to  have  it  dug  up  with  a  large  portion 
of  the  surrounding  turf,  and  packed  in  a  quantity  of 
the  light  earth  in  which  it  grows.  The  whole  to  be 
sent  forward  in  good  condition,  by  Goodman  Phe- 


172  MEMOIRS    OF 

dart's  cart,  who  returns  here  by  easy  journeys.  My 
gardener,  Spire,  tells  me  that  he  has  transplanted 
the  Blete  into  a  richer  soil,  and  by  cultivation,  trans- 
formed the  plant  into  a  real  strawberry.  I  believe 
not  a  word  of  this ;  but,  as  it  costs  next  to  nothing, 
there  is  no  harm  in  trying  the  experiment." 

With  these  quiet  tastes  it  is  difficult  to  reconcile 
the  enormous  expenditure  of  which  Josephine  is 
accused ;  nor  has  it  always  been  remembered  that 
her  embarrassments  in  this  respect  arose  rather 
from  the  unfair  dealings  of  others,  excused  in  some 
measure  by  the  fluctuating  state  of  things,  than  from 
her  own  extravagance.  A  very  considerable  portion, 
too,  of  her  early  debts  was  contracted  at  this  very 
period,  in  consequence  of  purchases  and  improve- 
ments at  Malmaison.  Another  luxury  which,  from 
her  first  residence  in  the  country,  began  to  manifest 
itself,  as  appears  from  the  little  anecdote  of  the 
ghost  already  quoted,  and  which  has  been  animad- 
verted upon  as  a  singular  caprice,  was  her  practice 
of  constantly  preferring  some  one  of  the  dirty  high- 
ways surrounding  the  park  to  a  walk  in  the  fresh, 
beautiful,  and  retired  alleys  of  Malmaison.  But  we 
seek  for  relaxation  and  amusement  chiefly  in  change, 
and  on  this  principle,  without  any  accusation  of 
vulgarity  of  taste,  may  we  account  for  Josephine's 
temporary  preference  of  the  bustle  and  novelty  of  a 
public  road  to  the  verdant  retreats  and  flower-bor- 
dered paths  where  she  passed  the  day.  It  is,  more- 
over, to  be  recollected,  that  these  walks  had  often  for 
their  object  some  purpose  of  humanity.  She  loved 
to  inquire  of  the  labourer,  as  he  hastened  homewards 
in  the  evening,  concerning  his  family  and  means  of 
subsistence.  The  same  unpretending  kindness  of 
heart  which,  in  the  midst  of  grandeur,  rendered  her 
so  desirous  of  laying  aside  all  unnecessary  state,  led 
her  now  familiarly  to  accost  the  villagers  and  peas- 
antry, and  to  listen  with  interest  to  the  humble  story 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  173 

of  their  joys  and'  sorrows.  Many  of  those  walks 
which,  by  the  unthinking  or  unfeeling,  have  been 
held  up  for  our  amusement  as  the  caprices  of  a  vulgar 
mind  requiring  repose  from  the  greatness  thrust 
upon  it,  might  have  been  traced  to  the  cottage  of 
the  sick  and  the  aged,  or  to  the  abode  where  honest 
industry  had  been  crossed  by  misfortune.  Perhaps 
some  readers  may  recollect  with  the  writer,  that  on 
visiting  these  scenes,  even  many  years  after  the  in- 
mates of  Malmaison  had  ceased  to  interest  as  living 
characters,  there  still  lingered  among  the  grateful 
peasantry  the  remembrance  of  many  a  trait  honour- 
able to  Josephine. 

Occupied  thus  in  public  and  private  benevolence 
— in  the  pleasures  of  society  and  domestic  engage- 
ments— in  watching  over  the  political  interests,  and 
endeavouring,  by  the  most  aifectionate  means,  to 
retain  her  place  in  the  heart  of  her  husband, — Jose- 
phine was  enabled  to  bear  with  more  outward  com- 
posure his  unjust  suspicions.  But  a  new  subject  of 
disquiet  began  to  present  itself.  What  had  been  the 
fate  of  that  husband  ?  Where  were  his  companions 
in  arms  ?  Where  was  her  son  ?  If  the  correspond- 
ence with  the  East  had  from  the  first  been  uncertain 
and  interrupted,  it  became  much  more  so  after  the 
army  experienced  a  "check,  and  murmurs  had  broken 
out  even  among  the  commanders  of  the  expedition. 
Not  only  were  the  English  cruisers  daily  rendering 
the  communication  with  France  more  precarious,  but 
the  policy  pursued  at  head-quarters  in  Cairo  and 
Alexandria  was,  to  intercept  altogether  the  corres- 
pondence destined  for  Europe.  The  battle  of 
Aboukir,  the  Syrian  expedition,  the  utter  worthless- 
ness  of  the  conquests  made,  were  subjects  upon 
which  truth  would  certainly  have  produced  the  most 
dangerous  consequences  to  the  views  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief  at  home.  Hence,  for  many  months 
previous  to  his  return,  while  no  despatches  were  re- 
ceived in  Egypt,  only  vague  and  contradictory  reports 

P  2 


174  MEMOIRS    OF 

reached  France  from  the  East.  Under  these  ciiciim* 
stances,  Josephine's  alarm  and  uncertainty  were 
necessarily  very  great.  Reports  of  the  death  of  the 
general  were  in  circulation,  and  even  without  attach- 
ing- much  credit  to  these,  the  circumstances  of  his 
being  so  far  distant,  without  a  fleet,  and  beset  by 
enemies  on  every  hand,  might  well  seem  to  render 
his  return  doubtful,  and  the  destruction  of  his  power 
as  inevitable.  To  an  ordinary  man,  perhaps,  both 
of  these  would  probably  have  been  the  result  of  the 
Egyptian  campaign. 

Urged,  it  is  said,  by  these  considerations,  and 
most  probably  encouraged  by  the  advice  of  secret 
enemies,  Josephine  resolved  on  a  divorce  from  her 
husband.  The  instrument  is  reported  to  have  been 
actually  prepared,  and  the  matter  about  to  be  laid 
before  the  proper  tribunal.  Before  taking  this  deci- 
sive step,  Madame  Bonaparte  consulted  M.  de  Can- 
teleu,  then  a  distinguished  member  of  the  adminis- 
tration, and  subsequently  one  of  the  imperial  sena- 
tors. This  gentleman  represented  to  her,  that  even 
supposing  the  general  ruined,  or  in  captivity,  his 
name  was  yet  a  title  not  lightly  to  be  resigned,  as 
it  gave  her  a  consideration  which  would  cease  with  . 
the  cause.  In  short,  his  arguments  so  fully  pre- 
vailed, that  she  tore  the  papers  in  his  presence,  and 
never  afterward  for  a  moment  entertained  the  idea 
of  a  separation.  Very  few  individuals  knew  of  these 
circumstances,  so  curious  in  themselves,  and  hitherto 
not  even  suspected  by  the  public,  till  the  detail  ap- 
peared a  few  months  ago,  in  the  journal  of  the  Bar- 
oness de  Y ,  one  of  the  ladies  of  honour  to  the 

empress.  The  secret  was  confided  by  M.  de  Can- 
teleu  himself,  under  a  promise  of  fidelity,  and  as  a 
mark  of  regard :  "  His  death,"  to  quote  the  words  of 
the  narrator,  "  and  that  of  Josephine,  permit  me  to 
disclose  it,  with  every  assurance  of  its  truth." 

We  are  not,  perhaps,  authorized  altogether  to  dis- 
credit a  fact  stated  under  such  circumstances,  and 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  -^ 

with  no  apparent  motive  for  publishing  an  c 
At  the  same  time,  though  a  favourite  with  Josep?  *eT 
to  whom,  it  may  be  remarked,  she  was  introduc£f 
by  M.  de  Canteleu,  the  baroness  hardly  shows  her- 
self friendly  to  the  memory  of  a  kind  mistress.  She 
dwells  with  more  pleasure  upon  weaknesses  than 
virtues ;  and,  from  the  first,  a  secret  supporter  of  the 
exiled  princes,  professing  to  have  been  constrained, 
in  some  sort,  by  necessity,  in  accepting  an  appoint- 
ment at  the  imperial  court,  she  seizes  every  occasion 
to  hold  up  its  characters  and  economy  in  satirical 
exhibition.  In  this  endeavour,  it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged, the  Madame  la  Baronne  displays  great  live- 
liness of  remark,  some  wit,  and  considerable  talent — 
but  withal  an  ill-regulated  mind.  Of  this  last  there 
can  be  no  better  proof  than  the  offer,  which  she 
herself  gravely  records,  to  assassinate  Bonaparte  on 
his  return  from  Elba.  "  My  plan,"  to  use  her  own 
words,  "  was  simple ;  it  consisted  in  providing  my- 
self with  a  pair  of  small  pistols  and  a  postchaise. 
I  believed  myself  certain  of  being  permitted  to  ap- 
proach Napoleon;  but  as  to  surviving  him,  that 
never  entered  into  my  thoughts :  I  was  prepared  to 
fall  beneath  the  blows  of  his  attendants.  My  first 
step  was  to  practise  firing  with  a  pistol ;  my  second, 
to  confide  my  secret  to  some  one  attached  to  the 
king,  and  who  could  aid  me.  I  selected  Prince  Po- 
lignac,  whose  own  devotedness  to  the  king  led  me 
to  think  he  would  approve  of  mine."  The  prince 
had  the  honour,  the  good  sense,  and  the  humanity 
to  reject  this  proposal;  and  while  he  persuaded  the 
lady  to  return  to  her  family,  faithfully  kept  her  secret. 
This  is  the  same  nobleman  to  whom  of  late  has 
been  attributed  everything  that  is  base  and  wicked. 
Bad  men  do  not  usually  act  like  Prince  Polignac, 
where  they  have  even  a  chance  to  take  off  their 
enemies,  and  secure  their  own  power. 

But  to  return  :  While  her  situation  afforded  to  our 
authority  the  best  opportunities  of  observation,  her 


176  MEMOIRS    OF 

very  hostility  renders  her  testimony  valuable,  so  far 
as  concerns  the  good  qualities  of  Josephine's  charac- 
ter, and  in  other  respects,  making  allowance  for  ex- 
aggeration, there  appears  no  ground  for  suspecting 
misstatements.     While  there  seems  thus  every  rea- 
son to  give  credit  to  the  idea  of  a  divorce,  it  as- 
sumes greater  likelihood  on  other  motives  than 
those   above.    Under  the   double  provocation  of 
insulting  suspicions,  then,  and  wounded  affections — 
for,  from  the  letter  already  quoted,  it  is  evident  that 
Josephine  was  no  stranger  to  her  husband's  liaison 
with  the  wife  of  a  subaltern,  at  Cairo — it  is   not 
improbable  that  Madame  Bonaparte  may  have  enter- 
tained thoughts  of  divorce.     She,  too,  was   sur- 
rounded by  false  friends,  whose  interests  lay  in 
widening  the  domestic  breach ;  and,  excited  thus, 
perhaps,  to  a  still  more  exasperated  sense  of  her 
injuries,   appears  to  have   expressed  her  resolu- 
tion in  terms  which  she  afterward  regretted.    There 
can  be  little  doubt  that  this  expression  of  passing 
resentment  reached  the  ears  of  Bonaparte,— a  cir- 
cumstance which,  best  of  all  others,  explains  the 
anxiety  evinced  by  his  wife  to  obtain  an  interview 
before  he  had  seen  his  brothers,    We  can  hardly 
believe,  however,  that  there  was  any  thing  serious 
in  all  this.    The  circumstance  of  Bonaparte,  amid 
the  deserts  of  Syria,  and  Josephine,  in  the  capital  of 
France,  each  resolving  upon  renouncement  and  sepa- 
ration, while  both  cherished  a  mutual  attachment, 
the  very  strength  of  which  appeared  from  these  pas- 
sionate declarations,  presents  neither  a  new  nor  a 
singular  incident  in  the  history  of  the  human  heart. 
Some  time  subsequent  to  the  preceding  events, 
and  from  the   same   cause,  occurred  an  incident 
which,  in  its  remote  consequences,  excited  con- 
siderable influence  on  the  happiness  of  Josephine, 
Between  Talleyrand,  who,  throughout  the  whole  of 
his  long  and  varied  life,  has  ever  been  at  the  feet  of 
power,  arid  the  subject  of  these  Memoirs,  there 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  177 

always  existed  a  kind  of  mutual  distrust,  or  ratner 
the  feeling  appertained  exclusively  to  the  prince,  for 
though  the  memory  of  the  injured  may  sleep,  the 
consciousness  of   the   aggressor  never  slumbers. 
This,  according  to  Josephine's  own  account,  origi- 
nated in  the  following  manner:  While  doubt  and 
uncertainty  thus  involved  the  fate  of  the  Egyptian 
armament  and  its  leader,  Madame  Bonaparte  natu- 
rally sought  information,  or,  it  may  be,  relief,  in  so- 
ciety.   Hence,  instead  of  restraining  the  intercourse 
already  described,  she  rather  enlarged  the  circle  of 
her  acquaintance.    On  the  occasion  of  a  grand  en- 
tertainment given  by  Barras,  she  found  herself 
placed  on  one  hand  of  Talleyrand,  with  Madame  de 
Tallien  on  the  other.     Hitherto  this  accomplished 
courtier  had  been  assiduous  in  paying  the  most  re- 
spectful attentions  to  the  wife  of  the  commander  of 
the  Army  of  the  East.   On  this  night,  however,  while 
lavishing  on  her  companion  the  whole  grace  of  his 
politeness,  he  seemed  to  have  forgotten  that  Madame 
Bonaparte  was  even  present.    This  appeared  too 
directly  the  reverse  of  his  former  conduct  to  escape 
remark.    As  Madame  de  Tallien,  through  her  influ- 
ence with  Barras,  might  for  the  moment  be  regarded 
as  the  dominant  star  in  France,  and  as  Josephine 
knew  Talleyrand  to  be  the  "  pink  of  courtesy,"  but, 
at  the  same  time,  a  perfect  man  of  the  world,  a  sus- 
picion flashed  upon  her  mind,  that  information  must 
have  arrived  of  Bonaparte's  death,  since  she  was 
now  treated  with  so  little   consideration.      Over- 
powered by  this  reflection,  aggravated  as  it  was  by 
the  sense  of  personal  disrespect,  she  rose  and  left 
the  table  in  tears.    According  to  her  own  words, 
Josephine  had  reason  to  believe  that  Talleyrand 
never  forgot,  and  had  the  barbarity  afterward  to 
act  as    if   she  could  not  sincerely   forgive,  this 
aggression. 

f    The  dauntless  spirit  over  whose  fate  doubt  and 
mystery  thus  hung  was  at  this  very  time  pursuing  a 


178  MEMOIRS    OF 

solitary  and  mournful  flight  across  a  sea  so  lately 
covered  with  his  armaments.  On  the  evening  of  the 
9th  of  November,  1799,  a  numerous  company,  in- 
cluding all  the  most  distinguished  in  the  capital  of 
Prance,  had  assembled  at  Gom'er's,  President  of  the 
Directory.  The  guests  had  sat  down  to  the  amply 
furnished  board;  enjoyment  was  the  order  of  the 
hour,  when,  in  the  very  midst  of  their  gay  converse, 
a  telegraphic  announcement  communicated  to  their 
host,  "  Bonaparte  landed  this  morning  at  Frejus," 
hushed  for  an  instant  the  brilliant  circle  in  silent 
amazement.  The  whispered  tale  died  upon  the  ear, 
and  he  who  had  raised  the  wine-cup  to  the  lip  put 
it  down  unpledged.  Each  surveyed  the  others  as 
men  who  strive  to  conceal  their  own,  but  would  read 
their  neighbour's  thoughts.  Yet  would  it  have  been 
difficult  exactly  to  analyze  these  thoughts :  there  was 
nothing  definite  either  of  hope  or  apprehension,  but 
all  seemed  as  if  struck  with  a  consciousness  that 
things  new  and  strange  might  be  the  issue  of  what 
they  had  just  learned. 

There  was,  however,  one  present  to  whom  the 
name  spoke  of  near  and  positive  interests,  but  with 
scarcely  less  of  apprehension.  Josephine,  on  thus 
unexpectedly  hearing  of  her  husband's  return,  whis- 
pered an  anxious  adieu  to  her  friends  around,  and 
retired.  She  determined  on  setting  off  instantly  to 
meet  Bonaparte,  well  knowing  how  much  it  imported 
to  their  reconciliation  and  future  happiness  that  she 
should  obtain  a  first  interview,  before  others  had  an 
opportunity  to  poison  his  mind  afresh  by  new  calum- 
nies. Before  setting  out  the  same  night,  it  is  stated 
by  some  authorities,  that  she  made  fruitless  applica- 
tions to  several  confidential  friends,  among  others  to 
M.  de  Cantelieu,  to  accompany  her  on  so  important 
a  journey.  This  is  not  likely;  the  least  appearance 
of  distrust  would  in  any  case  have  been  impolitic, 
and  to  a  temperament  such  as  she  had  now  to  deal 
with  most  offensive.  Josephine  well  knew  this,  and 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  179 

also  that  her  power  over  Bonaparte's  mind  must 
reside  in  her  own  influence  alone,  or  cease  alto- 
gether. She  therefore  left  Paris  early  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  10th,  accompanied  only  by  her  daughter. 
Unfortunately,  all  this  anxiety  was  without  result ; 
she  had  proceeded  with  the  utmost  diligence,  night 
and  day,  without  even  alighting,  as  far  as  Lyons ; 
here  she  learned  that  the  general  had  passed,  having 
taken  the  western  route  to  Paris,  by  the  Bourbon- 
nois,  instead  of  pursuing  the  more  direct  road 
through  Burgundy,  by  which  she  had  come.  She 
instantly  retraced  her  steps  ;  but  it  was  too  late — 
the  mischief  had  been  done.  When,  about  midnight 
of  the  18th,  Josephine  alighted,  utterly  exhausted, 
at  their  house,  Rue  Chantereine,  Bonaparte  had 
already  been  some  time  in  Paris. 

Thus  were  rendered  fruitless  both  the  present  and 
former  precautions.  Lucien  Bonaparte  had  indeed 
been  disappointed  in  like  manner  ;  but  Joseph  and 
his  sisters,  who  had  remained  in  Paris,  had  of  course 
seen  their  brother,  and  represented  matters  accord- 
ing to  their  own  views.  Josephine  had  been  so 
anxious  to  prevent  this,  that,  many  months  before, 
she  had  written  to  Eugene, — "  It  is  hardly  possible 
to  administer  a  dose  of  patience  sufficient  to  enable 
me  to  await  your  return,  with  nothing  more  than 
the  due  share  of  anxiety.  If  you  know,  therefore, 
when  or  in  what  part  of  France  you  will  disembark, 
send  me  information  by  all  means,  that  I  may  descry 
your  vessel  at  a  distance,  and  be  with  you  the  mo- 
ment you  approach  the  land.  That  will  be  happiness 
mdeed,  compared  with  my  present  state,  as  you  can 
well  conceive."  Josephine's  greatest  enemies  were 
those  of  her  own  house, — if  the  expression  may  be 
allowed, — her  brothers  and  sisters-m-iaw,who,  needy 
and  rapacious,  and  totally  dependent  on  their  brother, 
viewed  with  jealous  alarm  any  influence,  however 
legitimate,  which  threatened  the  exclusive  empire 
they  wished  to  maintain  over  his  mind.  But  in  ex- 


180  MEMOIRS    OF 

citing  his  resentment  at  such  a  crisis,  they  acted 
most  impolitically,  as  regarded  even  their  own  inter- 
ests. Nothing  could  have  more  completely  marred 
the  best  contrived  measures  for  attaining  power 
than  presenting  to  the  nation  the  aspirant  to  public 
favour  engaged  in  domestic  squabbles  with  his  wife. 
A  laugh  goes  in  most  cases  for  more  than  an  argu- 
ment ;  but  among  a  fickle  and  not  over-punctilious 
people,  such  is  the  power  of  ridicule,  that  had  France 
beheld  Bonaparte  figuring  as  the  hero  of  a  scandalous 
process,  at  the  very  moment  when  a  nothing  might 
have  turned  the  tables,  and  exposed  him  as  a  deserter 
from  Egypt,  it  is  little  likely  that  she  would  so 
speedily  have  hailed  him  Consul.  Such  inferences, 
indeed,  seem  not  altogether  to  have  escaped  his  own 
penetration.  His  favourite  apothegm,  "There  is 
but  a  single  step  from  the  sublime  to  the  ridiculous," 
could  never  have  been  more  appositely  applied ;  and 
of  this  one  or  two  confidential  friends  laboured  to 
convince  him.  But  at  first  he  would  listen  only  to 
his  own  jealous  irritation ;  and  "  divorce,  open  and 
public  divorce,"  was  his  constant  threat.  Amid  all 
this  sound  and  fury,  however,  it  did  not  escape  those 
best  acquainted  with  his  dispositions,  that  love  for 
Josephine  was  still  a  paramount  feeling,  and  that  he 
strove  to  lash  himself  into  a  conviction  which  might 
seem  to  justify  such  extremity.  "  She  will  appear," 
said  an  old  and  tried  friend,  "  will  explain  matters 
— you  will  forgive  all,  and  recover  tranquillity." — "  I 
forgive  ! — never !  You  know  me.  Were  I  not  sure 
of  my  resolution,  I  would  pluck  out  this  heart,  and 
cast  it  into  the  fire !"  replied  Bonaparte,  accompany- 
ing the  last  asseveration  with  a  furious  gesture. 

Some  have  stated  that  Josephine,  on  arriving 
found  her  effects  already  packed  up,  and  placed  in 
the  court.  This  is  not  exactly  correct,  though  her 
reception  was  harsh  enough.  On  entering  the  small 
circular  family  room,  she  found  her  husband  alone 
with  Joseph,  who  looked  on  in  silence  during  the 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  181 

scene  which  ensued.  Bonaparte,  scarcely  per- 
mitting his  wife  to  enter,  desired  her,  in  the  severest 
tone,  instantly  to  retire  to  Malmaison.  She  silently 
turned  away,  and  retired  to  her  own  apartment. 
Bonaparte  continued  to  traverse,  with  hasty  strides, 
the  room  where  this  brief  interview  had  taken  place. 
In  a  few  minutes  Josephine  was  observed  descend- 
ing, in  tears,  followed  by  Eugene  and  Hortense, 
both  weeping  bitterly.  Bonaparte  had  not,  perhaps, 
been  prepared  for  such  dignified  and  silent  acquies- 
cence, nor  are  we  entitled  to  refuse  credit  to  his  own 
assurance  on  this  occasion — "My  heart  was  not 
formed  to  witness  tears  without  emotion."  He 
followed  and  brought  back  Eugene,  who  persisted 
for  some  time  in  a  determination  to  accompany  his 
mother.  Upon  this,  the  two  ladies  returned  also, 
but  without  a  word  spoken  by  the  general.  During 
the  two  following  days,  no  intercourse  took  place 
between  the  estranged  parties ;  but  the  paroxysms 
of  resentment  gradually  subsiding,  JBpnaparte  en- 
tered the  apartment  wherein  his  wife  and  her 
daughter  had  held  themselves  secluded.  Josephine 
was  seated  leaning  on  a  toilet  table,  her  face  buried 
in  both  hands,  and  the  silent  tears  stealing  from  be- 
tween her  beautiful  fingers.  On  the  table  lay  open 
the  letters  she  had  received  during  the  eastern  expe- 
dition. Hortense  stood,  half-concealed  within  the 
drapery  of  the  window.  Neither  seemed  to  observe 
the  general's  entrance,  who,  advancing  in  silence, 
appeared  for  a  moment  irresolute :  "  Josephine !" 
said  he,  after  a  pause.  Josephine  looked  up — "  Mon 
ami,"  her  usual  expression  of  endearment,  was 
ventured  in  timid  hesitation.  Bonaparte  held  out 
*  his  hand.  The  explanation  which  followed,  though 
at  first  not  unaccompanied  with  violent  expressions, 
left  not  a  shade  of  suspicion  on  his  mind,  nor  was 
their  union  ever  afterward  disturbed  from  the  same 
cause. 


182  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Political  Retrospect — State  of  France— .Josephine  a  Royalist — Conduct 
of  Bonaparte — Eugene— Anecdotes — Ventriloquism — The  Stammerers 
— Morninfr  of  the  18th  Brumaire — The  Consul — Marriage  of  Caroline 
Bonaparte  and  Murat — Treachery  of  the  King  of  Naples— Josephine's 
Letter  to  the  Emperor — Installation  in  the  Tuileries— First  Assembly 
— Josephine's  Dress— Description  of  her  Person— Residence  at  Mal- 
maison—  Attempts  to  assassinate  the  Consul — Anecdotes — Marengo — 
Anecdotes — Return— Amusements  at  Malmaison— Emigrants — Kind- 
ness of  Josephine— Anecdote— Infernal  Machine— Anecdotes— Mar- 
riage of  Louis  and  Hortense — Letters — Flotilla — Nelson — Peace  of 
Amiens— Brilliant  State  of  France— English  Visiters— Fox,  &c. — In- 
vasion —Camp  of  Boulogne — Anecdotes— Death  of  the  Duke  D'Enghien 
— Despair  of  Josephine — Conspiracy  of  Pichegru,  &c. — Preparations 
for  the  Empire. 

ON  returning  from  the  East,  Bonaparte  found  that 
affairs  in  France  had  undergone  a  change  much  to 
the  disadvantage  of  the  nation,  but,  for  that  very 
reason,  not  unfavourable  to  his  own  views  of  aggran- 
dizement. Defeat  abroad  had  prepared  the  public 
mind  to  hail  the  return  of  a  general  whose  name  was 
associated  with  victory ;  while  imbecility,  anarchy, 
and  civil  war,  at  home,  had  gone  far  to  reconcile  all 
parties  to  one  whose  decision  of  character  might 
hold  out  a  prospect  of  stable  government.  These 
dispositions  had  been  strongly  manifested  by  the 
universal  acclaim  attendant  on  his  progress  from  the 
time  he  had  first  pressed  the  soil  of  France  to  his 
arrival  in  Paris ;  and  both  interest  and  inclination 
urged  a  speedy  appeal  to  the  popular  sentiment. — 
The  congress  of  Rastadt,  the  fruit  of  his  victories,  and 
in  which  he  left  French  influence  triumphant,  had 
come  to  nothing,  or  rather  had  turned  against  the 
republic.  Italy,  the  scene  of  his  early  glory,  after 
having  been  basely  seized,  contrary  to  the  treaties  he 
had  formerly  sanctioned,  and  as  foolishly  revolution- 
ized into  Roman,  Parthenopean,  &c.  republics,  by  the 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINF  183 

Directory,  had  been  finally  wrested  from  their  grasp 
by  an  Austro-Russian  army,  under  Suwarrow.  The 
bloody  battle  of  Novi,  fought  when  the  Muiron  frijHte, 
the  vessel  which  bore  this  new  Caesar  from  Egypt, 
had  arrived  within  sight  of  the  shores  of  Europe, 
sealed  the  disgrace  of  the  republican  arms.  But 
here  fortune  was  even  doubly  favourable ;  for  Joubert, 
the  commander  in  Italy,  the  only  leader  whose  repu- 
tation might  have  clouded  Napoleon's,  perished  in  the 
conflict.  On  the  Swiss  confine  there  existed  a  secret 
but  stern  and  justifiable  hostility ;  for,  during  his  ab- 
sence, Switzerland  had  been  invaded  and  revolution- 
ized. On  the  German  frontier,  Jourdan  and  the 
French  armies  had  been  beaten  in  every  rencounter 
with  the  Archduke  Charles,  and  forced  within  the 
Rhine.  On  the  side  of  Holland  the  danger  was  not 
less  threatening ;  the  Dutch  had  delivered  up  their 
fleet  to  an  Anglo-Russian  expedition,  disclaimed 
their  classical  and  republican  cognomen,  and  declared 
for  their  ancient  stadtholders.  In  brief,  France, 
stripped  of  all  her  foreign  conquests,  beheld  herself 
menaced  on  more  than  one  point  by  hostile  armies 
concentrating  within  sight  of  the  "  sacred  territory." 
At  home,  the  government,  without  resources  or  con- 
fidence, from  the  weakness  and  the  peculation  of  all, 
and  the  cruelty  of  some  of  its  measures,  was  viewed 
with  equal  contempt  and  indignation,  while  civil  war 
had  recommenced  in  the  western  provinces.  Even 
the  energy  of  party  feeling,  which,  while  it  wrought, 
had  also  strengthened  to  endure  the  evil,  had  ceased 
in  a  great  measure,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the 
return  of  the  Bourbons,  there  hardly  seemed  a  politi- 
cal scheme  which  promised  relief  from  the  present 
that  might  not  be  attempted  successfully,  if  proposed 
by  a  leader  possessing  the  renown  and  popular 
qualities  &  Bonaparte. 

Thus,  the  crisis  expected  by  him  for  nearly  three 
years  had  at  length  arrived,  when  the  nation  wrould 
join  in  overturning  a  weak  and  tyrannical  government, 


184  MEMOIRS    OF 

without  demanding  pledges  as  to  what  form  should 
be  established  in  its  room.  The  military  part  of 
France  asked  only  a  leader  of  military  experience — 
the  great  body  of  the  people  looked  to  a  change,  no 
matter  what,  which  might  afford  protection  against 
existing  disorder.  Hence  every  thing  conspired  to 
turn  all  eyes  upon  Bonaparte.  But  the  greatest 
caution  on  his  part  was  indispensable  ;  the  govern- 
ment still  possessed  power,  and  might  crush  him  in 
their  suspicion  ere  his  plans  were  matured.  Now 
it  was  that  he  reaped  the  full  harvest  of  that  judi- 
cious conduct  pursued  by  Josephine  during  his  ab- 
sence, as  already  described  in  her  letters,  and  which 
had  been  so  cruelly  misrepresented.  It  was  evi- 
dently his  policy  to  keep  himself  retired,  both  to  lull 
suspicion  and  to  maintain  the  gloss  of  novelty. — 
Retirement,  however,  furnished  opportunity,  through 
Josephine's  communications,  of  becoming  more  ac- 
curately informed  of  the  real  state  of  things.  The 
Directory,  which  he  actually  overturned,  consisted 
of  Gohier,  president,  Barras,  Sieyes,  Ducos,  and 
Moulins.  With  the  president  Josephine  was  very 
intimate,  and  appears  to  have  entertained  a  sincere 
regard  for  Madame  Gohier  ;  over  the  second  she  had 
always  maintained  an  influence,  and  thus,  without 
taking  into  account  her  correspondence  with  the  last 
two,  she  had  possessed  ample  means  of  watching 
events  at  the  fountain-head.  Of  the  five,  Sieyes  pos- 
sessed most  authority,  as  being  at  the  head  of  the 
Moderates ;  and  of  the  views  of  this  party,  with 
which  he  subsequently  saw  reason  to  coalesce,  Bona- 
parte was  held  informed  by  his  brothers.  In  all  the 
various  interviews  and  intrigues  preceding  the  famous 
18th  and  19th  Brumaire,  Josephine  preserved  an  anx- 
ious watchfulness  over  her  husband's  demeanour, 
and  often  by  address,  during  the  visits  of  those  whom 
it  imported  to  conciliate  or  deceive,  gave  to  the 
conversation  a  less  dangerous  turn,  wherfthe  im- 
petuosity of  her  partner  had  led  him  too  far.  To 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  185 

do  Mm  justice,  Bonaparte  very  readily  and  heartily 
praised  these  finesses,  and  in  his  moods  of  kindness 
used  to  term  Josephine  "  his  Mentor."  Besides  this 
tact  in  the  convenances  of  society,  Josephine  had  a 
prodigious  memory,  often  put  in  requisition  at  all 
times  for  names  and  dates.  We  may  judge  of  the 
pleasure  received  from  such  applications  by  the 
pains  taken  in  order  to  acquire  the  power  of  reply- 
ing to  them.  In  the  present  instance,  however,  it 
is  very  doubtful  that  she  rightly  divined  her  husband's 
ulterior  plans ;  indeed  for  some  time  they  must  have 
been  but  vaguely  conceived,  even  by  himself;  one 
thing  alone  was  fixed, — personal  elevation,  whereas 
there  is  reason  to  believe  that  Josephine  enter- 
tained hopes  for  the  Bourbons.  All  the  predilections 
of  her  youth  had  been  formed  in  kindliness  towards 
unfortunate  royalty.  The  class  to  which  she  be- 
longed, and  even  the  principles,  republican  as  they 
were,  of  the  Vicomte  Beauharnais,  had  tended  to 
cherish  an  attachment  to  the  persons  of  the  exiled 
family.  Her  intercessions  with  the  Directory  were 
generally  in  favour  of  expatriated  royalists ;  and  the 
society  in  which,  from  preference,  she  had  mingled, 
during  the  absence  of  Napoleon  in  Egypt,  tended 
to  keep  alive  the  remembrances  of  former  days. — 
Among  the  few  of  the  ancient  noblesse  still  remain- 
ing in  France  her  chief  intimates  were  selected 
and  Madame  de  Montesson,  the  widow  of  the  Duke 
d'Orleans,  the  same  lady  who  crowned  Bonaparte 
with  the  mathematical  laurel  at  Brienne,  was  her 
especial  friend.  In  the  graceful  reunions  at  Tillet, 
the  seat  of  the  dutchess,  Madame  Bonaparte  had  been 
a  constant  and  welcome  guest,  and  that  her  children 
also  were  well  known  there,  the  following  extract 
from  a  letter  to  Eugene  abundantly  shows : — "  I 
have  just  returned  from  a  visit  to  Tillet.  The  mis- 
tress of  that  charming  retreat  inquired  about  you, 
with  an  interest  which  made  me  love  her  the  more, 
and  by  which  you  must  consider  yourself  greatly 
Q2 


186  MEMOIRS    OF 

honoured ;  for  she  is  no  common  pretender  to  attach- 
ments, and  her  judgment,  founded,  as  it  always  is, 
on  mature  reflection,  must  be  gratifying  where  it  is 
favourable." 

While  Bonaparte  was  thus  secretly  maturing 
schemes  of  vast  ambition,  he  seemed  totally  occupied 
with  study  and  domestic  society,  and  encouraged 
among  the  few  who  had  accompanied  his  adven- 
turous flight  a  similar  unmarked  demeanour.  His 
favourite,  Eugene,  in  particular,  showed  as  if  resolved 
to  indemnify  himself  for  long  absence  from  Paris. 
Young  Beauharnais,  at  this  time,  exhibited  the  same 
amiable,  character  and  solid  understanding,  with  a 
dash  of  gayety  and  love  of  pleasure,  by  which  he  was 
distinguished  in  after-life.  Without  being  handsome, 
there  was  something  extremely  prepossessing  in  his 
frank  and  manly  countenance.  His  stature,  though 
small  (not  exceeding  five  feet  four  inches),  displayed 
a  form  active  and  well  knit,  though  somewhat  defi- 
cient in  dignity,  from  a  mincing  gait, — a  youthful 
affectation  which,  however,  disappeared  with  the 
firmness  and  responsibilities  of  manhood  and  high 
enterprise.  At  this  time,  his  chief  amusement — one, 
too,  not  altogether  without  an  object — was  to  give 
splendid  breakfasts  to  the  young  officers  of  his  own 
standing.  At  these  entertainments,  some  amusing 
plot,  such  as  is  common  among  young  people,  was 
constantly  occurring.  Of  these  adventures  Eugene 
was  in  the  habit  of  giving  entertaining  recitals  to  his 
mother,  and  often  to  his  father-in-law,  who  laughed 
very  heartily  at  such  displays,  one  or  two  of  which 
may,  therefore,  be  mentioned,  on  the  report  of  an 
eyewitness.  Ventriloquism  was,  about  this  time, 
attracting  notice  in  Paris,  through  the  performances 
of  Thiemet,  afterward  so  famous  a  professor  of  the 
art.  One  morning,  when  a  gay  circle  of  young  offi- 
cers breakfasted  with  Eugene,  first  one,  then  another, 
heard  himself  distinctly  called  out  of  the  room,  by 
the  roice  of  his  serving-man,  until  the  whole  party 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  187 

had,  in  turn,  made  a  fruitless  expedition  down-stairs. 
Each  returned  more  amazed  than  another :  and  it  was 
finally  resolved  to  sally  forth  in  a  body.  Thiemet, 
who,  not  personally  known,  save  as  a  guest,  to  any 
of  the  party,  had  all  this  time  continued  quietly  seated 
at  table,  opening  his  lips  only  to  eat  or  drink,  func- 
tions which  he  seemed  to  perform  with  great  address, 
now  rose  to  assist  in  the  search  of  the  invisible 
serving-men.  No  sooner  had  the  party  reached  the 
hall,  than  the  calls,  all  apparently  from  different  quar- 
ters, were  repeated ;  each  scampered  off  in  various 
pursuit  of  the  supposed  culprits,  crying  out,  "  Here ! 
here's  the  rascal !"  till,  in  the  inextricable  confusion, 
Eugene's  loud  laugh  discovered  the  whole  plot. — 
The  greater  part  received  it  "  as  a  passably  excellent 
joke ;"  but  some  there  were  disposed  to  bestow  the 
chastisement  of  the  innocent  valets  on  the  guilty 
professor.  "  Nay,  nay,  gentlemen,"  interposed 
Eugene,  "  my  friend  Thiemet  is  not  to  blame  ;  if  you 
cannot  forgive  a  frolic,  the  quarrel  is  mine."  Upon 
this  a  second  adjournment  was  made  to  the  break- 
fast-table, and  Thiemet  restored  good-humour  by 
equally  extraordinary,  but  less  offensive,  displays  of 
his  powers.  Two  young  aids-de-camp  had  played 
off  a  successful  trick  upon  their  companions,  who 
applied  to  Eugene.  Young  Beauharnais  promised 
them  their  revenge.  A  numerous  party,  including 
the  two  aids,  accepted  an  invitation  to  one  of  these, 
now  celebrated,  dejeunes.  Matters  were  previously 
arranged  among  the  conspirators,  and  the  two  victims 
seated  at  opposite  sides  of  the  table,  each  next  an 
officer  who  appeared  to  be  a  stranger.  The  first 
cup  of  coffee  had  hardly  been  discussed,  when  high 
words  were  heard  from  the  quarter  in  question.  It 
appeared  that  both  the  strange  officers  were  griev- 
ously afflicted  with  stammering,  and  no  sooner  had 
one  made  a  remark,  and  the  other  replied,  than  a 
mortal  quarrel  ensued  between  them,  each  supposing 
that  the  other  was  mocking  him.  Their  neighbours, 


188  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  aids»de-camp,  kindly  interposed  to  allay  the 
animosity,  and,  for  this  purpose,  had  drawn  their 
chairs  quite  close,  in  order  better  to  expostulate  and 
explain,  for,  in  addition  to  their  original  infirmity,  it 
now  appeared  that  one  of  the  stammerers  was 
near-sighted,  and  the  other  dull  of  hearing.  But 
nothing  could  avail. — "  H-h-h-he  i-i-is  mo-mock- 
mocking  m-m-me,"  was  vociferated  from  both  sides 
of  the  table,  and  each  starting  up,  seized  a  huge  vase, 
filled  with  water,  which  unhappily  chanced  to  stand 
within  reach,  and  discharged  in  great  ire  the  whole 
contents  across  the  table.  The  copious  cascade 
missed  its  apparent  aim,  but  descended  with  over- 
whelming certainty  upon  our  friends  the  aids,  who 
had  so  benevolently  attempted  to  sooth  the  strife. 
The  latter  in  turn  now  started  to  their  feet,  their 
splendid  uniforms  dripping  from  every  point  and 
lappet,  and  as  soon  as  they  had  recovered  breath, 
began  to  demand  an  explanation.  The  subdued  titter 
around  them  did  not  tend  to  appease  their  wrath ;  but 
the  whole  table  was  set  on  a  roar  when,  at  the  same 
moment,  both  exclaimed,  "  How,  Thiemet ! — What 
the  devil,  Dugazon !"  for  it  was  our  old  friend  the 
ventriloquist,  and  a  brother  actor  of  the  Theatre  Fran- 
§aise,  who  had  personated  the  irascible  stutterers. 

Thus,  in  the  domestic  circle,  the  proper  sphere  of 
these  Memoirs,  nothing  during  the  intervening  month 
seemed  to  announce  the  famous  revolution  of  the 
18th  and  19th  Brumaire,  which  elevated  Bonaparte 
to  the  consular  dignity.  To  ordinary  observers,  the 
members  of  his  family  would  have  appeared  en- 
grossed in  the  pursuit  of  amusement,  and  he  himself 
in  the  tranquil  enjoyment  of  repose  from  the  cares 
and  anxieties  of  command.  For  the  public  transac- 
tions of  this  singular  change,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
Bourrienne.*  Here  a  few  private  incidents  may 
properly  find  a  place.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th, 
while  the  meeting  of  general  officers  took  place  in  the 

'  *  See  the  translation  in  Constable's  MisceUany,  Tol.  i.  p.  222,  &c.  3d 
edition. 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  189 

Rue  Chantereme,— now  Victoire, — and  Josephine 
expected  the  president,  Gohier,  to  breakfast,  her  son 
held  also  one  of  his  entertainments,  for  which  prepa- 
rations had  been  made  nearly  a  week  before.  Those 
invited  consisted  exclusively  of  young  officers,  and 
their  meeting  was  gay  as  usual,  but  far  more  nume- 
rous. Among  the  guests,  one,  distinguished  for  his 
powers  of  mimicry,  created  infinite  amusement  to 
his  companions,  by  successful  caricatures  of  the 
members  of  the  Directory.  To  exhibit,  for  instance, 
the  person  and  demeanour  of  one,  he  dressed  himself 
in  a  tablecloth,  draped  a  la  Grecque,  stripped  his 
black  stock,  rolled  back  his  shirt-collar,  and  advanced 
with  many  affected  graces,  leaning  his  left  arm  on 
the  shoulder  of  a  younger  companion,  and  with  his 
right  hand  stroking  his  chin.  "  Barras  !  Barras  !" 
shouted  his  comrades,  thus  crowning  his  exhibi- 
tion with  loud  applause.  But  the  representation  is 
changed :  enter  again  the  young  soldier,  but  scarcely 
to  be  recognised,  his  cravat  stuffed  with  a  huge  roll 
of  paper,  his  visage  chalked  into  squalid  paleness, 
and  elongated  to  a  most  rueful  length.  With  all  this 
meagerness  in  the  requisites  of  an  aimable,  he  makes 
it  appear  that  he  aspires  to  pass  for  accomplished, 
and  seizing  a  chair,  after  making  some  awkward 
caracoles,  as  if  on  horseback,  down  comes  the  cav- 
alier with  a  heavy  fall.  Shouts  of  "  Sieyes — the 
prick-eared  abbe,"  resound  from  all  corners  of  the 
room,  and  the  officer  rises  to  join  in  the  ridicule 
which  he  has  excited.  Sieyes  was  at  this  time  ac- 
tually taking  lessons  at  the  riding-school  in  the 
Luxembourg !  The  breakfast  was  thus  an  excellent 
training  for  the  grenadier  charge  in  the  hall  of  the 
deputies,  and  Eugene  knew  well  what  he  was  about. 
After  appointing  a  rendezvous  with  his  youthful 
associates  to  join  the  cortege,  he  hastened  to  meet 
his  father-in-law. 

On  this  day,  in  fact,  the  directors  were  deceived 
at  all  points.    While  the  president  was  dressing  for 


190  MEMOIRS    OF 

breakfast,  to  which  he  had  been  invited  by  Madame 
Bonaparte,  hearing  a  stir  in  the  court  of  the  Luxem- 
bourg, and  putting  his  head  out  of  a  window,  he  beheld 
General  Jube,  commandant  of  the  consular  guard, 
assembling  it  below.  .Tube  had  been  gained  over  by 
Bonaparte.  "  Citizen  General,"  asked  the  simple  0 
president,  "  what  are  you  about  there  1" — "  Citizen 
President,  you  see  I  am  assembling  the  guard." — 
"  Doubtless  I  see  that  well  enough ;  but  why  is  it 
assembled  1" — "  Citizen  President,"  answered  the 
commandant,  with  great  coolness,  "  I  am  to  hold  an 
inspection,  and  direct  a  grand  manoeuvre.  Forward 
— march  !" — "  Tant  pis  pour  lui" — So  much  the 
worse  for  him,  said  Bonaparte  to  his  wife,  observing 
that  Gohier  had  not  appeared  at  her  breakfast-table  : 
and  so  much  the  worse  it  certainly  was  for  him  ;  for 
in  a  couple  of  hours  poor  Gohier  was  a  prisoner  in 
his  own  directorial  palace. 

During  the  18th,  Madame  Bonaparte  remained 
alone  with  Bourrienne.  The  events  of  that  day 
were  not  calculated  to  awaken  much  uneasiness  as 
to  the  result.  But  the  rougher  encounter  of  the 
19th  November  ever  awakened  in  her  mind  the 
most  anxious  inquietude,  relieved,  indeed,  from  time 
to  time,  by  her  husband's  attention  in  despatching 
notes  of  what  was  passing  at  St.  Cloud.  When 
night,  however,  and  even  morning,  had  arrived 
without  sight  or  tidings  of  him,  she  was  in  a  state 
bordering  on  distraction.  Josephine  had  in  this  state 
retired  to  bed,  but  not  to  sleep,  when  at  length,  about 
four  in  the  morning,  the  Consul  entered  the  apart- 
ment. From  the  time  he  took  the  oaths  of  his  new 
office  till  he  saw  his  wife,  he  spoke  not  to  a  single 
individual — as  if  he  had  wished  that  her  voice  should 
be  the  first  to  congratulate  his  accession  to  empire. 
A  lively  conversation  ensued ;  Josephine,  freed  from 
her  own  fears,  showed  herself  not  forgetful  of  her 
friends;  and  Napoleon  gayly  announced  that  the 
fete  of  thirty  millions  of  men  had  passed  into  his 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  191 

hands,  by  the  remark, — "  Good-night — to-morrow 
we  sleep  in  the  Luxembourg !" 

The  public  transactions  of  the  consulate,  except 
as  supplying  a  method  of  arrangement,  or  when 
necessarily  and  intimately  connected  with  our  im- 
mediate subject,  belong  not  to  the  present  narrative. 
The  events  of  this  period  may  be  classed  under  two 
grand  divisions, — the  measures  conceived  and  ex- 
ecuted by  the  First  Consul  for  the  regeneration  and 
defence  of  France;  and  those  proceedings  which 
he  imagined  to  be  conducive  or  preparatory  to  his 
own  personal  elevation.  In  the  former,  Bonaparte 
claims  our  almost  unqualified  admiration:  often 
great  and  wise,  he  is  always  clear-sighted,  never 
unjust.  In  the  latter,  where  his  petty  artifices  and 
unworthy  deceits  do  not  incur  our  contempt,  his 
crimes  excite  our  abhorrence.  Yet  even  under  this 
mixed  aspect,  the  consulate  was  the  greatest  bless- 
ing which  revolutionary  France  had  yet  experienced ; 
it  saved  her  from  the  million,  and  from  the  imbecile 
self-conceit  of  the  leaders  of  the  million. 

The  residence  of  rather  more  than  two  months 
at  the  Luxembourg  has  been  rightly  termed  the 
"  Consulate  preparatory."  The  only  domestic  event 
which  occurred  here  of  importance  to  Josephine 
was  the  marriage  of  Caroline  with  Murat.  This 
match  was  especially  agreeable  to  Madame  Bona- 
parte ;  the  young  soldier  held  himself  under  obliga- 
tions to  her  former  patronage,  and  might,  therefore, 
be  expected  to  act  as  a  friend  in  a  family  of  ene- 
mies; and,  secondly,  by  supporting  Murat's  suit, 
Josephine  knew,  that,  while  performing  an  agreeable 
service  to  her  sister-in-law,  she  had  also  an  oppor- 
tunity of  proving  to  the  consul  how  groundless  had 
been  those  suspicions  infused  into  his  mind  regard- 
ing her  sentiments  for  Murat.  After  some  show 
of  resistance  on  the  part  of  her  husband,  who 
nevertheless  avowed  that  he  was  far  from  displeased 
with  the  interest  she  took  in  the  affair,  Josephine 


192  MEMOIRS    OF 

succeeded.  There  can  be  no  stronger  proof  of  the 
injustice  generally  of  those  dishonourable  aspersions 
by  which  her  enemies  endeavoured  to  trouble  her 
domestic  peace,  than  the  truth  in  the  particular 
instance  of  Murat.  He  had  first  become  known  to 
her  as  the  bearer  of  despatches  to  the  Directory, 
announcing  Bonaparte's  first  successes  in  Italy. 
Nothing  could  be  more  natural  than  her  desire  to 
procure  promotion  for  one  of  the  general's  favourite 
aids-de-camp ;  and  subsequently,  by  those  attentions 
so  flattering  from  a  woman,  and  not  confined,  as  we 
have  seen,  to  him  alone,  she  endeavoured  to  attach 
so  gallant  a  soldier  to  the  fortunes  of  her  husband 
She  admired,  and  knew  how  to  appreciate,  his  daring 
valour  in  the  field,  a  quality  above  all  others  valu- 
able in  his  chief's  system  of  warfare ;  but  his  selfish 
and  vainglorious  character  always  displeased  her. 
"  I  dislike  that  man,"  said  she,  years  after  the  events 
now  mentioned,  "  and  I  fear  him ;  he  is  too  fawn- 
ing with  the  emperor;  he  will  betray  him  if  ever 
opportunity  and  advantage  suit."  How  the  King 
of  Naples  fulfilled  this  prediction  is  well  known. 
Josephine  had  another  cause  of  dislike,  and  one  of 
all  others  most  unpardonable  in  a  woman's  eyes : 
if  we  may  credit  the  scandalous  chronicle  of  the 
consular  and  imperial  court,  Murat  was  at  all  times 
an  active  encourager  of  the  infidelities  of  his  bro- 
ther-in-law. Under  these  circumstances,  perfect 
forgiveness,  both  of  ingratitude  and  injury,  could 
hardly  be  expected  on  Josephine's  part.  But,  when 
it  is  considered  that  the  Queen  of  Naples  had  always 
joined  with  her  enemies  in  their  endeavours  to 
estrange  from  her  the  affections  of  her  husband,  as 
a  most  amiable  example  of  generosity  of  character, 
and  nobleness  of  sentiment,  we  may  introduce,  while 
on  this  subject,  though  so  far  anticipating,  the  letter 
which  was  written  by  Josephine  to  Napoleo"  nr)  the 
discovery  of  Murat's  treachery :— 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  193 

"  SIRE,  Malmaison. 

"I  have  this  instant  learned  that  your  suspicions 
are  confirmed,  and  that  the  King  of  Naples,  disre- 
garding the  most  sacred  ties  of  consanguinity  and 
gratitude,  has  joined  the  ranks  of  your  enemies.  I 
have  unfortunately  nothing  to  say  in  his  defence ; 
and  can  find  in  my  heart  no  solace  for  the  devouring 
anxiety  which  yours  must  feel :  what  stronger  proof 
that  my  own  is  without  consolation !  Still  I  cannot 
be  silent;  there  are  those  around  you  who,  too 
ready  to  aggravate  the  crime  of  the  guilty,  will  but 
augment  your  sorrow,  should  their  obsequious  coun- 
sels lead  to  violent  extremes.  You  know  that  I 
never  have  resisted  your  will,  though  I  have  some- 
times had  the  courage  to  oppose  your  views,  and 
ventured  observations  to  which  you  rendered  justice 
by  changing  your  plans,  and  adopting  those  sug- 
gested by  a  weak  woman.  Suffer  me  still  to  use 
this  privilege.  The  King  of  Naples  is  without  ex- 
cuse. But,  sire,  do  not  involve  his  wife  in  your 
vengeance,  by  depriving  her  of  an  affection  to  which 
she  has  ever  attached  a  great  value,  and  which  it 
would  be  unjust  to  take  from  her,  if,  as  I  believe, 
that  unhappy  princess  is  in  all  things  opposed  to 
her  husband's  crime.  Far  from  overwhelming  her 
under  the  weight  of  a  resentment  which  it  is  not 
probable  she  merits,  address  yourself  to  her  heart, 
that  she  may  employ  all  imaginable  means  to  pre- 
vent the  king  from  injuring  you,  and  dishonouring 
himself. 

"  If  things  can  no  longer  be  remedied,  and  if  you 
must  be  constrained  henceforth  to  view  as  an  enemy 
a  brother  who  owes  to  you  the  crown  which  he  is 
ready  to  disgrace, — ah !  do  not  repulse  the  queen, 
when  she  will  soon  have  none  other  save  you  upon 
whom  she  can  rely ;  for  you  have  often  repeated, 
and  history  proves  by  a  thousand  examples,  that 
traitors  never  are  successful  in  their  treason.  The 
king,  whom  the  hostile  powers  now  treat  as  an  ally, 
R 


194  MEMOIRS    OF 

will  be  sacrificed,  should  peace  with  you  be  his  price 
— if,  contrary  to  all  appearances,  they  should  prove 
conquerors,  Murat  would  be  equally  the  victim ;  for 
they  would  no  longer  tolerate  a  king-  whom  they  had 
previously  treated  as  a  usurper,  but  would  hurl  him 
from  that  throne  which  he  now  seeks  to  preserve, 
by  means  the  most  blameable  and  most  impolitic, 
even  by  baseness  itself. 

"  Pity  your  sister,  sire ;  she  has  too  much  under- 
standing not  to  have  appreciated  the  fearful  futurity 
which  hangs  over  her.  If  ever  she  should  be  unfor- 
tunate, receive  her  again  to  your  affections;  and 
console  yourself  for  the  ingratitude  of  her  husband 
by  the  enjoyment  of  the  heartfelt  attachment  with 
which  your  moderation  will  inspire  her.  Remember, 
too,  that  if  from  the  first  impulses  of  even  a  just 
indignation  you  yield  yourself  up  to  the  stern  plea- 
sure of  rendering  evil  for  evil,  the  consequences  will 
eventually  affect  your  innocent  nephews,  and  sooner 
or  later  you  must  lament  a  severity  which  will  have 
cost  you  so  many  tears.  Sire,  I  plead  in  your  own 
interest;  reflect  well  before  finally  determining. 
Consult  not  those  men  whose  facile  temper  merely 
follows  all  the  variations  of  your  own,  but  those 
devoted  servants  who  are  around  you — brave  and 
loyal  brothers-in-arms — who  never  trafficked  with 
their  consciences,  and  who  would  have  preferred 
even  your  displeasure  to  an  advice  that  could  com- 
promise honour.  Hear  madame  your  mother.  Fi- 
nally, do  not  punish  by  your  hate  until  it  has  been 
proved  that  you  cannot  pardon. 

"  Excuse,  sire,  what  I  have  written.  The  fear  of 
one  day  beholding  you  repent  a  too  prompt  condem- 
nation has  led  me,  perhaps,  to  displease  you.  The 
consciousness  of  discharging  a  duty  has  inspired  me 
with  courage  on  this  so  painful  occasion.  You  will 
pardon  a  zeal,  not  officious,  but  sincere,  which  has 
led  me  so  far  as  to  presume  to  give  advice ;  and  you 
will  say  that  Josephine  has  never  ceased  to  be  can  • 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  195 

did  with  him  who  of  all  men  is  the  sincerest  lover 
of  that  truth  which  yet  he  so  rarely  hears. 

"To-morrow  I  expect  Eugene;  be  pleased,  sire, 
to  tell  him  if  you  forgive  me  this  letter,  written  with 
the  desire  ever  dearest  to  my  heart — of  seeing  you 
happy.  Vengeance  inflicted  where  a  sister  is  con- 
cerned will  not  conduce  to  happiness  when  the  bosom, 
like  yours,  is  disposed  to  the  soft  emotions  of  fra- 
ternal love.  Believe  me  ever,  and  preserve  for  rne 
the  friendship  so  precious  to  "  JOSEPHINE." 

The  period  of  probation  being  expired,  and  new 
colleagues  obtained,  Bonaparte,  now  First  Consul, 
finding  the  Luxembourg  "  trop  etroit" — too  confined, 
resolved  that  henceforth  the  consuls  should  reside  in 
the  Tuileries,  the  ancient  palace  of  the  kings  of 
France,  disguised  under  the  title  of  the  Government 
Palace.  After  many  petty  and  seemingly  very  un- 
necessary devices,  which  strongly  remind  one  of  the 
character  given  of  Swift,  who,  it  is  said,  could  not 
take  a  cup  of  tea  without  a  stratagem,  this  change 
of  domicile  was  effected.  Some  days  after  the  instal- 
lation, which  took  place  on  the  30th  Pluviose  (19th 
February,  1800),  accompanied  with  all  the  splendour 
of  military  pomp,  and  consequently  excluding  female 
agency,  Josephine  in  turn  made  her  first  essay  in  the 
grand  observances  of  empire.  The  occasion,  there- 
fore, seems  to  demand  especial  notice. 

The  suite  selected  for  the  wife  of  the  First  Consul, 
which  continued  to  be  occupied  also  by  the  empress, 
was  part  of  the  former  royal  apartments  on  the 
ground  floor,  fronting  the  gardens.  This  suite  con- 
sisted of  two  saloons,  with  private  apartments.  By 
eight  in  the  evening  alluded  to  the  spacious  drawing- 
rooms  of  Madame  Bonaparte  were  crowded  with  a 
most  brilliant  assembly,  and  so  numerous,  that  for 
the  circulation  of  air  it  became  necessary  to  throw 
open  the  folding-doors  leading  to  her  own  dressing- 
room.  The  company  consisted  of  the  foreign  am 


196  MEMOIRS    OF 

bassadors,  to  the  number  of  twelve,  then  resident  a 
the  consular  court  (for  so  it  might  already  have  been 
named),  and  of  the  most  distinguished  among  the 
native  ornament  and  worth  of  the  gay  metropolis. 
For  the  brilliant  talents,  heroic  bearing,  or  marked  ml 
character  of  many  present,  and  even  in  the  minor  8 
circumstances  of  richness  and  elegance  of  effect,  1 
this  first  reunion  was  perhaps  never  surpassed  in  the 
imperial  halls  of  the  Tuileries.  To  a  ceremonious  3 
eye,  indeed,  there  might  probably  have  appeared  a  ' 
lack  of  two  things, — crowned  heads,  and  their  neces- 
sary accompaniment,  etiquette.  "  Cela  viendra" 
said  Napoleon ;  "  these  things  will  come  with  time," 
— and  he  said  truly ;  for  the  heads  were  there,  and 
looked  quite  as  respectable  as  afterward  when  they  \ 
had  got  their  crowns;  while,  in  the  estimation  of 
most  people,  the  complaint  of  the  old  courtier,  "  It 
may  be  a  great  power,  but  it  is  not  a  court,"  will 
hardly  imply  defect.  It  is  to  be  remembered,  too, 
— a  circumstance  which  at  the  time  excited  a  pleas- 
ing surprise — that  France  had  just  emerged  from  a 
ten  years'  civil  strife,  wherein  her  treasure  had  been 
wasted  and  the  blood  of  her  noblest  shed.  Yet  here 
was  all  the  splendour,  and  perhaps  more  than  the 
usual  talents  which  surround  a  long-established 
throne.  The  baseness  of  the  multitude  had  inflicted 
the  evil ;  the  energy  of  one  man  had  already  so  far 
effected  a  restoration.  Madame  Bonaparte  was  an- 
nounced, and  entered,  conducted  by  M.  de  Talley- 
rand, then  minister  for  foreign  affairs.  In  a  scene 
where  diamond  and  star,  cordon  and  plume,  in  more 
than  usual  profusion  thus  caught  radiance  and  shade 
from 

Lights  that  shone  o'er  fair  women  and  brave  men, 

expectancy  must  have  been  high  on  the  first  appear- 
ance of  her  who  was  to  fill  the  prime  station.  A 
momentary  feeling  of  disappointment  might  have 
crossed  for  an  instant  those  minds  who  had  looked 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  197 

for  magnificence  and  state.  Josephine  was  attired 
with  the  utmost  simplicity  in  a  robe  of  white  muslin ; 
her  hair,  without  decoration  of  any  kind,  and  merely 
retained  by  a  plain  comb  d'ecaille^  fell  in  tresses 
upon  her  neck,  in  the  most  becoming  negligence  ;  a 
collar  of  pearls,  an  unobtrusive  ornament,  but  of 
great  value,  harmonized  with  and  completed  this 
unpretending  costume.  We  have  the  evidence  of  an 
eyewitness,  that  a  spontaneous  murmur  of  admira- 
tion followed  Josephine's  entrance,  such  being  the 
grace  and  dignity  of  her  deportment,  that  with  all 
this  absence  of  the  external  attributes  of  rank,  a 
stranger  would  at  once  have  fixed  upon  the  principal 
personage  in  the  splendid  circle.  Always  accompa- 
nied as  she  had  entered,  Madame  Bonaparte  made  the 
tour  of  the  apartments,  the  members  of  the  foreign 
diplomacy  being  first  introduced  in  succession  by 
the  minister.  When  the  introductions  had  nearly  con- 
cluded, the  First  Consul  entered,  but  without  being 
announced,  dressed  in  a  plain  chasseur  uniform,  with 
a  sash  of  tri-coloured  silk.  In  this  simplicity  both 
good  taste  and  sound  policy  concurred.  The  occa- 
sion was  not  a  levee ;  the  first  magistrate  and  his 
wife  merely  received  the  congratulations  of  their 
fellow-citizens  of  a  free  republic. 

At  this  period  Josephine  had  completed  by  some 
months  the  thirty-sixth,  though,  by  her  own  account, 
she  was  only  so  far  advanced  in  the  thirty-third 
year  of  her  age,  and  she  might  have  passed  for  even 
younger  than  this.  At  a  time  of  life  when,  as  re- 
spects the  charms  of  mind  and  conversation,  woman 
is  most  fascinating,  she  thus  still  enjoyed  those  per- 
sonal advantages  which  are  thought  to  belong  exclu- 
sively to  more  youthful  years.  The  surpassing  ele- 
gance and  taste  displayed  in  the  mysteries  of  her 
toilet  w%re  doubtless  not  without  their  influence  in 
prolonging  the  empire  of  beauty;  but  nature  had 
been  originally  bountiful  in  no  common  degree. 

Josephine  was  rather  above  than  below  the  middle 
R2 


198  MEMOIRS    OF 

size,  hers  being  exactly  that  perfection  of  stature 
which  is  neither  too  tall  for  the  delicacy  of  feminine 
proportion,  nor  so  diminutive  as  to  detract  from  dig- 
nity. Her  person,  in  its  individual  forms,  exhibited 
faultless  symmetry ;  and  the  whole  frame,  animated 
by  lightness  and  elasticity  of  movement,  seemed  like 
something  aerial  in  its  perfectly  graceful  carriage. 
This  harmonious  ease  of  action  contributed  yet  more 
to  the  dignified,  though  still  youthful  air  so  remark- 
able in  Josephine's  appearance.  Her  features  were 
small  and  finely  modelled,  the  curves  tending  rather 
to  fulness,  and  the  profile  inclining  to  Grecian,  but 
without  any  statuelike  coldness  of  outline.  The 
habitual  character  of  her  countenance  was  a  placid 
sweetness,  within  whose  influence  there  were  few 
who  would  not  have  felt  interested  in  a  being  so 
gentle.  Perhaps  the  first  impression  might  have  left 
a  feeling  that  there  wanted  energy ;  but  this  could 
have  been  for  an  instant  only,  for  the  real  charm  of 
this  mild  countenance  resided  in  its  power  of  varied 
expression,  changing  with  each  vicissitude  of  thought 
and  sentiment.  "  Never,"  says  a  very  honest  ad- 
mirer, "  did  any  woman  better  justify  the  saying, 
6  The  eyes  are  the  mirror  of  the  soul.' "  Josephine's 
were  of  a  deep  blue,  clear  and  brilliant,  even  impos- 
ing in  their  expression,  when  turned  fully  upon  any 
one ;  but  in  her  usual  manner  they  lay  half-concealed 
beneath  theiriong  and  silky  eyelashes.  She  had  a 
habit  of  looking  thus  with  a  mild  subdued  glance 
upon  those  she  loved,  throwing  into  her  regard  such 
winning  tenderness  as  might  not  easily  be  resisted, 
and,  even  in  his  darkest  moods.  Napoleon  confessed 
its  tranquillizing  power.  Realizing  exactly  the  fine 
description  pi  the  old  poet,  Josephine's 

Long  hair  was  glossy  chestnut  brown,          * 

whose  sunny  richness  harmonized  delightfully  with 
a  clear  and  transparent  complexion,  and  neck  of 
almost  dazzling  whiteness.  Her  eyebrows  were  a 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  199 

shade  darker,  arching  regularly,  and  pencilled  with 
extreme  delicacy.  The  perfect  modulation  of  her 
voice  has  already  been  mentioned;  it  constituted 
one  of  her  most  pleasing  attractions,  and  rendered 
her  conversation,  though  neither  sparkling  with  wit 
nor  remarkable  for  strength,  but  flowing  on  in  easy 
elegance  and  perfect  good-nature,  the  most  capti- 
vating that  can  easily  be  conceived.  On  the  whole, 
Josephine,  perhaps,  might  not  exactly  have  preten- 
sions to  be  what  is  termed  a  fine  woman,  but  hers 
was  that  style  of  beauty  which  awakens  in  the  heart 
a  far  deeper  sentiment  than  mere  admiration. 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  attractions  of  a 
residence  in  the  ancient  palace  of  the  French  kings, 
Malmaison  had  still  charms  which  drew  both  the 
consul  and  his  wife  periodically  to  its  retreats. 
These  "  holydays"— jours  de  conge,  as  Napoleon  used 
to  call  them — were  at  first  each  decodi,  or  tenth 
day ;  but  afterward,  when,  last  of  all  its  absurdities, 
the  calendar  of  the  republic  was  abolished,  they 
came  weekly,  and  were  generally  continued  from 
Saturday  till  Monday  evening.  Nothing  could  be 
more  delightful  to  Josephine  than  to  behold  Bona- 
parte here,  throwing  aside  all  care  and  all  artificial 
character,  where  every  one  around  him,  and  she 
more  than  any,  enjoyed  this  "unburdening  from 
state."  And  it  might  go  far  to  reconcile  us  to  an 
humble  lot  to  reflect  on  the  man  who  swayed  the 
destinies  of  France — who  had  filled  up  the  measure 
of  his  ambition — saying  with  a  sigh,  as  he  left  for 
a  palace  this  brief  leisure  in  a  simple  villa, — "// 
faut  oiler  reprendre  le  collier  de  misere" — Now  must  I 
resume  the  yoke  of  misery. 

This  bondage  had,  perhaps,  about  this  time  become 
the  more  galling  from  his  sense  of  security  being 
shaken,  even  in  this  asylum.  Either  the  agents  of 
his  own  police  or  the  real  machinations  of  enemies 
rendered  Malmaison  for  the  first  few  months  of  the 
consulate  a  distrusted,  if  not  a  dangerous  abode. 


200  MEMOIRS    OF 

The  former  have  usually  been  blamed,  and,  of  course, 
the  alleged  plots  treated  as  absurdities.  There  ap- 
pears good  reason  for  believing,  however,  that  the 
conspiracies  against  the  life  or  liberty  of  the  First 
Consul  were  real,  and  at  all  events  he  incurred  dan- 
ger. At  the  commencement  of  the  consulate  opera- 
tions and  improvements  were  ordered  at  Malmaison. 
Among  the  people  employed  in  the  apartments  of  her 
husband,  Josephine  particularly  remarked  some  who 
seemed  to  be  working  like  the  rest,  but  had  not  the 
appearance  of  workmen  in  other  respects.  Fearing 
to  create  an  unnecessary  alarm,  or  to  bring,  perhaps, 
innocent  men  into  trouble,  she  contented  herself 
with  giving  confidential  orders  to  keep  the  strictest 
watch.  The  alterations  were  completed,  and  the 
suspicious  characters  vanished.  Just  as  the  consul 
was  about  to  reoccupy  the  apartments,  upon  their 
being  examined,  nothing  occurred  to  excite  suspicion 
save  a  snuff-box  placed  on  the  writing-table,  at  which 
most  likely  he  would  immediately  have  sat  down. 
The  box,  too,  could  nofbe  distinguished  from  those 
he  usually  carried,  and  it  was  supposed  had  been  left 
there  by  his  valet.  To  make  all  sure,  however,  for 
distrust  had  been  awakened,  the  box  was  removed, 
and  its  contents  examined.  The  snuff  had  been  poi- 
soned !  Among  other  means  of  security,  the  porter 
at  Malmaison  had  trained  a  number  of  dogs  of  enor- 
mous size,  and  among  them  two  very  fine  Newfound- 
landers, to  aid  him  in  his  guardianship.  This  pre- 
caution originated  in  reports,  that  besides  conspira- 
tors disguised  as  workmen  in  the  interior,  there  were 
others  in  the  uniform  of  the  consular  guard,  who, 
mixing  with  the  escort  at  Malmaison,  were  to  assas- 
sinate Bonaparte.  All  strangers — for  many  of  the 
workmen  remained  during  the  night — had  strict  in- 
junctions not  to  venture  abroad  after  dark.  One 
evening,  a  workman,  conceiving  that  as  the  dogs 
were  quite  peaceable  within  doors  they  would  be  so 
without,  took  it  into  his  head  that  he  would  have  a 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  201 

walk ;  and,  taking  one  of  his  Newfoundland  friends 
along  with  him,  both  proceeded  very  amicably  till 
they  had  just  crossed  the  threshold,  when  the  dog 
sprang  upon  and  nearly  throttled  the  man  before  he 
could  be  rescued.  Madame  Bonaparte,  on  learning 
the  consequences  of  this  imprudence,  ordered  the 
greatest  care  to  be  taken  of  the  patient,  and  on  his 
recovery  presented  him  with  a  very  considerable 
gratuity. 

Several  attempts  were  said  to  have  been  made 
about  the  same  time  to  intercept  the  First  Consul  on 
his  passage  between  Paris  andMalmaison.  The  road 
suited  with  deeds  of  violence.  It  passed  through  a 
district  then  little  frequented,  and  was  beset  with 
lurking-places,  especially  the  quarries  of  Nanterre, 
which  were  accordingly  scrutinized  very  carefully 
by  the  servants  of  his  private  establishment  on  all 
occasions  when  the  consul  was  expected;  and, 
finally,  some  of  the  openings  nearest  the  road  were 
filled  up.  These  precautions  seem  to  have  been 
principally,  if  not  entirely,  ordered  by  Josephine. 
Accompanied  by  Hortense,  she  very  frequently  pre- 
ceded her  husband  on  these  short  journeys,  and  al- 
v  ys  sent  forward  a  few  faithful  domestics  with 
directions  to  survey  the  road.  These  commpnds 
appear  to  have  been  most  punctually  obeyed ;  for  so 
much  were  both  beloved  by  their  dependants,  that 
those  who  happened  not  to  be  on  service  on  these 
particular  days  joined  themselves  with  the  rest,  that 
they  might  assist  in  watching  over  the  safety  of  the 
consul,  and  performing  an  acceptable  duty  to  their 
mistress.  Napoleon  expressed  himself  satisfied  with 
this  zeal,  but  does  not  seem  to  have  entertained  any 
alarm  in  his  own  person.  Often,  indeed,  on  arriving, 
he  amused  himself  by  relating  very  gravely  to  Jose- 
phine the  narrow  escapes  which  he  had  made  on  the 
way, — how  he  had  met  several  very  sinister  visages 
appearing  and  disappearing;  that  one  villanous- 
looking  fellow  had  had  the  audacity  to  take  aim. 


202  MEMOIRS    OP 

&c.,'&c. ;  and  when  he  observed  her  to  be  very  much 
frightened,  he  would  burst  out  a-laughing,  call  her 
" Ma grosse  bete"  and, resuming1  a  serious,  and  even 
stern  expression,  conclude  by  saying,  with  a  com- 
pressed action  of  the  mouth,  "  They  dare  not  /" 

In  improving,  altering,  building,  and  calculating  his 
rents,  Bonaparte  passed  his  leisure  at  Malmaison 
during  the  spring  of  1800.  Eugene,  Hortense,  and 
other  intimate  friends  completed  these  family  par- 
ties, which,  however,  were  hardly  as  yet  either  so 
delightfully  unpretending  in  the  morning  or  so  splen- 
did in  the  evening  as  they  afterward  became  under 
the  animating  influence  of  the  excellent  Josephine. 
Meanwhile,  rougher  work  was  at  hand ;  and  Napo- 
leon set  out  for  the  Alps  to  lead 

The  armed  files  that,  night  and  day,  were  seen 
Winding  from  cliff  to  cliff,  in  loose  array, 
To  conquer  at  MARENGO. 

To  describe  this  brief  and  wonderful  campaign 
forms  no  part  of  our  present  design.  "  Allons,  ma 
bonne  /" — the  consul  had  said  on  departing, — "  Cour- 
age, my  good  Josephine !  I  shall  not  forget  thee, 
nor  will  my  absence  be  long."  To  both  promises 
he  was  faithful,  unless  we  reckon  as  a  breach  of  the 
first  certain  infidelities,  which,  however,  though  it 
be  impossible  that  profligacy  should  not  gradually 
weaken,  and  at  last  undermine  sentiment,  produced, 
at  the  time,  no  real  estrangement  of  affection  for 
Josephine.  On  the  second  promise  there  could  be 
no  doubt :  Bonaparte  left  Malmaison  on  the  4th,  and 
Paris  on  the  7th  of  May— on  the  night  of  the  2d  of 
July  he  slept  in  the  Tuileries.  In  that  brief  space, 
he  had  hurled  back  or  disorganized  the  armies  which, 
on  his  accession  to  the  consulate,  had  beset  France, 
wrested  Italy  from  the  Austrians,  and  thus  laid  deep 
the  foundations  of  his  own  future  empire.  This 
active  interval  had  been  passed  by  Josephine  chiefly 
at  Malmaison.  We  may  judge  of  the  pleasure  with 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  203 

which  she  there  superintended  the  improvements 
that  were  to  welcome  "her  Cid — her  Achilles." 
She  now  also  began  those  collections  of  rare  animals 
to  which  the  power  or  conquests  of  her  husband, 
and  not  unfrequently  a  grateful  remembrance  of  her 
own  kindness,  brought  accessions  from  the  distant 
parts  of  the  globe.  Often,  too,  she  rode  out  on 
horseback,  accompanied  by  her  daughter.  On  one 
of  these  occasions,  the  latter  had  nearly  been  the 
victim  of  a  serious  accident.  The  two  ladies  had 
reached  the  court,  and  were  about  to  alight,  when 
Hortense's  steed,  taking  fright,  turned  sharp  round, 
and  ran  off  full  speed.  She  was  an  excellent  rider, 
but  fearing  to  alarm  her  mother,  and  being  light  and 
agile,  she  attempted  to  throw  herself  from  the  saddle, 
not  recollecting  that  the  folds  of  her  riding  habit 
were  confined  at  the  bottom  by  a  strap,  which 
impeded  her  descent.  She  was  dragged  for  some 
space  with  her  head  on  the  ground.  Fortunately, 
she  had  been  able  to  turn  her  frightened  courser  a 
little  from  the  avenue  upon  the  lawn,  and  being 
almost  immediately  rescued  from  her  perilous  situa- 
tion, sustained  no  injury  beyond  some  scratches,  and 
was  the  first  to  laugh  at  her  mishap.  One  of  Jose- 
phine's favourite  amusements  was  to  play  at  billiards 
in  the  evening.  To  this,  however,  she  resorted  only 
when  very  late ;  for  at  this  time  she  delighted  in 
sitting  up  till  morning,  and  the  billiard-table  served 
both  to  dissipate  and  conceal  her  anxiety.  This 
beautiful  game  she  played  with  greater  grace  than 
skill,  though  more  than  a  match  for  Napoleon.  In 
the  country,  as  she  often  sat  out  all  the  members  of 
her  family,  she  would  frequently  take  a  cue  with 
some  one  of  her  favourite  domestics,  and  thus,  with- 
out affectation,  "  while  away  an  hour." 

But  during  this  brilliant  campaign,  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding one,  Josephine's  absorbing  enjoyment  was 
to  read  the  letters  from  Italy.  These,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  the  consul,  or  dictated  to  his  secretary 


204  MEMOIRS    OF 

Bourrienne,  arrived  almost  daily  at  Malmaison.  One 
of  the  first  refers  to  a  little  incident,  which  shows 
how  perfectly  devoid  of  all  state  were  the  domestic 
arrangements  of  the  consular  establishment :  Bona- 
parte had  conceived  a  good  opinion  of  Constant ; 
the  same  who.  for  the  next  fifteen  years,  served  him 
so  faithfully  in  the  capacity  of  personal  attendant. 
Madame  Bonaparte,  to  whose  service  the  young 
man  had  been  attached,  willingly  agreed  to  this  ex- 
change, but  in  the  hurry  of  departure,  Constant  had 
been  forgotten.  "  I  was  in  despair,"  says  this  very 
respectable  person, "  and  went  in  tears  to  report,  my 
misfortune  to  my  excellent  mistress,  who  had  the 
goodness  to  endeavour  to  console  me,  by  saying, 
1  Well,  my  good  Constant,  all  is  not  lost ;  you  shall 
remain  with  me,  and  hunt  in  the  park  to  amuse 
yourself,  and  perhaps  in  the  end  the  First  Consul 
will  remember  his  promise.' "  So  it  proved,  for  in 
a  day  or  two  arrived  a  letter  from  Bourrienne,  direct- 
ing, among  other  matters,  that  Constant  should  join 
the  First  Consul  in  all  haste.  "  So,  my  friend,"  said 
Madame  Bonaparte,  seeing  the  joy  which  this  intima- 
tion gave,  "  you  are  then  very  happy  in  the  thought 
of  leaving  me." — "  No !  no !  my  lady ;  but  it  is  not 
leaving  your  service  to  wait  upon  the  First  Consul." 
— "  True,  my  good  Constant ;  go,  and  be  sure  to  take 
the  greatest  care  of  him.11 

After  the  triumphant  return  from  Marengo,  the 
excursions  to  Malmaison  were  still  more  frequent, 
the  parties,  if  possible,  still  more  happy,  and  the 
residences  often  prolonged  for  several  "days  at  a 
time.  The  armistice  concluded  on  the  15th  June, 
and  the  negotiations  for  peace  continuing  up  to  the 
following  November,  left  the  First  Consul  full  leisure 
to  enjoy,  and  inspired  others  with  confidence  to  par- 
ticipate in,  this  tranquillity.  Madame  Bonaparte 
received  her  visiters  with  the  elegance  and  grace 
that  marked  all  her  actions,  but  with  a  simplicity 
which  placed  every  one  perfectly  at  his  ease,  being 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  205 

equally  removed  from  the  unpolished  rudeness  of  the 
republic,  and  the  luxurious  state  of  the  empire. 
Besides  the  most  eminent  officers  of  the  government 
and  army,  and  the  members  of  the  Bonaparte  family 
who  were  familiarly  present,  the  usual  visiters  in- 
cluded all  those  most  distinguished  for  their  birth 
and  talents,  as  well  the  olden  names  of  the  monarchy 
as  the  new  men  of  the  revolution. 

The  domestic  felicity  of  the  First  Consul  when  at 
Malmaison  seemed  to  be  complete.  He  had  around 
him  only  attached  relatives  or  the  most  devoted  ser- 
vants, and  his  amusements  were  of  the  simplest 
kind.  Bourrienne  has  described  their  family  theatri- 
cals,— a  relaxation  which  was  at  once  conductedwith 
the  greatest  decorum,  and  a  source  of  much  innocent 
enjoyment  both  to  Bonaparte  and  to  Josephine. 
PrOud  of  the  talents  of  her  children,  and  gratified 
by  their  power  to  contribute  to  his  entertainment 
for  whose  happiness  she  wished  only  to  live,  among 
the  distinguished  performers  in  the  Malmaison  com- 
pany, she  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  Eugene,  Hor- 
tense,  and  her  two  favourite  protegees,  the  sisters 
Auguie,  the  elder  of  whom  afterward  became  the 
wife  of  Marshal  Ney.  Another  amusement  may 
be  described  as  still  more  peculiarly  characteristic. 
This  was  the  game  of  "prisoners"  so  well  known 
among  schoolboys,  when  two  parties  run  against 
each  other,  seizing  as  captives  such  of  their  unfor- 
tunate opponents  as  happen  to  be  caught  within  cer- 
tain limits  round  the  respective  stations.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  ordinary  circle  at  Malmaison  were  all 
young,  active,  and  every  one  inclined  to  enjoy  life 
sansfaqon,  while  their  chief  probably  delighted  in  a 
sport  which  in  some  measure  brought  back  an  image 
of  the  grand  game  of  war.  Usually  after  dinner 
the  party  was  arranged.  Bonaparte  and  Josephine, 
Eugene,  Hortense,  Caroline  Bonaparte,  Rapp,  Lau- 
riston,  Duroc,  Isabey,  with  Bourrienne,  and  a  few 
other  confidential  retainers,  divided  into  two  camps, 
S 


206  MEMOIRS    OF 

as  they  were  termed ;  and,  when  nothing  pressed, 
the  sport  often  continued  for  hours.  The  best  run- 
ners were  Eugene  and  his  sister ;  but  Bonaparte,  in 
the  selection  of  partisans,  always  chose  Josephine, 
never  suffering  her  to  be  in  any  camp  but  his  own. 
When  by  chance  she  happened  to  be  taken  prisoner, 
he  always  seemed  uneasy  till  she  was  released, 
making  all  exertions  for  that  purpose,  though  a  bad 
runner  himself,  often  coming  down  in  mid  career 
with  a  heavy  fall  on  the  grass.  Up  again,  however, 
he  started,  but  usually  so  convulsed  with  laughter 
that  he  could  not  possibly  move,  and  the  affair  gene- 
rally ended  in  his  captivity.  When  placed  in  du- 
rance, or  when  Josephine  had  been  taken,  he  kept 
constantly  calling  out  to  his  party,  "  A  rescue !  a 
rescue  !"  clapping  his  hands,  shouting  to  encourage 
the  runners,  and,  in  short,  exhibiting  all  the  ardour 
of  a  boy  at  play.  When  we  find  the  conqueror  at 
Marengo,  the  restorer  of  France,  thus  yielding  to 
the  kindly  promptings  of  harmless  mirth  in  the 
bosom  of  his  family,  we  almost  forget  his  real 
character. 

It  must  not  be  supposed,  however,  though,  for  the 
sake  of  displaying  character,  we  insist  on  these 
minute  details,  that  Josephine  neglected  the  higher 
duties  of  her  station.  From  the  time  she  possessed 
the  power,  her  endeavours  to  relieve  the  misfortunes 
of  those  unhappy  men  whom  the  crimes  or  violence 
of  revolution  had  driven  from  their  homes  were  un- 
ceasing. At  every  period,  both  of  the  consulate 
and  empire,  a  very  considerable  portion  of  her  in- 
come was  allotted  to  the  relief  of  those  emigrants 
who  either  would  not  or  could  not  return.  When 
she  is  accused  of  thoughtless  profusion,  it  would  be 
well  to  remember  her  expenditure  here.  The  com- 
mencement of  Bonaparte's  legislative  career  had 
been  distinguished  by  an  act  as  politic  as  it  was  just, 
— the  recall  of  the  emigrants ;  but  there  were  many 
exceptions  from  the  general  clause,  and  cases 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  207 

Hherein  its  application  was  impeded  by  particular 
objections.  To  smooth  these  difficulties,  Madame 
Bonaparte's  influence  and  exertions  were  seldom 
denied,  and  rarely  unsuccessful.  "Josephine,"  as 
her  husband  observed,  "  will  not  take  a  refusal ;  but 
it  must  be  confessed,  she  rarely  undertakes  a  case 
which  has  not  propriety  at  least  on- its  side."  These 
applications  were  chiefly  in  favour  of  the  members 
of  the  exiled  aristocracy,  because,  perhaps,  ancient 
predilections  inclined  that  way,  but  still  more  be- 
cause the  pressure  of  the  former  laws  of  expatria- 
tion, and  the  suspicions  of  present  distrust,  fell 
heaviest  upon  that  order.  Even  when  they  had 
been  restored  to  their  country,  Josephine's  care  of 
these  objects  of  her  benevolence  continued  active ; 
for,  in  most  instances,  they  returned  to  behold  the 
halls  of  their  fathers  in  the  possession  of  strangers. 
This  reminds  us  of  an  incident  which  shows  how 
intimately  Josephine  was  acquainted  with  the  human 
heart,  and  by  what  gentle  means  she  could  draw  its 
kindly  feelings  into  action.  The  noble  family  of 
Decrest  had  owed  their  return  to  her  interest :  she 
continued  to  befriend  them ;  for  the  marquis  had  lost 
all,  though,  as  Fouche  was  forced  to  say,  "  I  will 
instantly  erase  his  name  from  the  list;  for  while 
others  have  been  but  too  well  known,  he  cannot 
even  show  a  certificate  of  having  been  abroad" 
The  first  era  of  the  republic  following  the  consulate, 
which  the  reader  will  remember  was  the  23d  of 
September,  and  the  only  one  of  the  republican  festi- 
vals allowed  to  remain,  was  celebrated  in  a  very 
magnificent  manner.  In  the  evening  a  grand  fire- 
work was  played  off  on  the  Seine.  A  rocket  misdi 
rected  struck  Decrest,  a  nephew  of  the  marquis,  and 
a  young  officer  of  great  promise.  His  father,  incon- 
solable for  the  death  of  an  only  son,  who,  to  add  to 
his  grief,  had  been  on  the  eve  of  marriage  with  the 
daughter  of  an  ancient  friend,  remained  in  a  state 
of  the  most  gloomy  despair,  regardless  of  every 


208  MEMOIRS    OF 

thing.  On  the  morrow  after  the  fatal  catastrophe, 
Madame  Montesson,  the  widow  of  the  Duke  d'Or- 
leans,  father  of  his  present  majesty  Louis  Philippe, 
and  grand-aunt  of  the  young  man  who  had  been 
killed,  sent  for  her  disconsolate  relatives  to  her 
house.  The  elder  Decrest  showed  himself  alike  in- 
sensible to  every  thing, — her  tears,  admonitions,  and 
caresses  were  suffered  without  notice  and  without 
return.  During  this  interview,  when  all  feared  fo» 
the  reason  or  the  life  of  the  unhappy  parent,  Madame 
Bonaparte  entered.  She  had  been  informed  of  the 
accident,  and  at  a  glance  discovered  the  melancholy 
state  of  things.  Without  uttering  a  word,  where 
she  perceived  ordinary  consolation  to  be  useless, 
Josephine  took  the  eldest  daughter  by  the  hand, 
raised  the  youngest,  a  child  of  fifteen  months,  in  her 
arms,  and  knelt  thus  before  the  despairing  mourner. 
At  first  he  seemed  surprised,  then  moved,  and  finally 
bursting  into  tears,  saw  he  was  yet  a  father,  and 
blessed  alternately  his  children  and  his  preserver. 
"  I  witnessed,"  says  an  amiable  lady,  "  this  scene, 
which  I  shall  never  forget ;  the  wife  of  the  First 
Consul  expressed,  in  language  which  I  will  not,  be- 
cause I  cannot,  imitate,  all  that  tenderness  which  the 
maternal  bosom  alone  knows:  she  was  the  very 
image  of  a  ministering  angel,  for  the  touching  charms 
of  her  voice  and  look  pertained  more  to  heaven  than 
to  earth." 

The  close  of  the  year  1800  was  marked  by  one  of 
the  most  atrocious  attempts  occurring  in  history, — 
the  conspiracy  of  the  infernal  machine.  The  details 
of  this  execrable  affair,  so  far  as  concerns  our  pres- 
ent subject,  are  interesting.  On  the  3d  Nivose,  year 
9  (21st  December,  1800),  a  splendid  representation 
was  to  be  given,  by  order,  at  the  opera ;  the  First 
Consul  having  previously  announced  that  he  would 
be  present  with  the  members  of  his  family.  This 
probably  suggested  the  plot,  and  certainly  afforded 
time  for  maturing  it.  On  the  day  in  question  Bona- 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  209 

parte  dined  with  his  wife,  Hortense,  and  Generals 
Rapp,  Lauriston,  Lannes,  and  Berthier.  About  seven 
o'clock,  the  three  last  named  entered  the  carriage, 
and  drove  off  with  the  First  Consul.  On  arriving 
near  the  middle  of  the  street  St.  Nicaise,  a  narrow 
lane  leading  from  the  Tuileries,  the  piquet  of  the 
escort,  which  immediately  preceded,  found  the  way 
blocked  up  by  a  cart.  This  was  drawn  aside,  and 
the  coachman,  impatient  at  the  delay,  having  been 
ordered  to  drive  fast,  pushed  forward  at  full  speed. 
About  two  or  three  seconds  after  the  consular  car- 
riage had  passed  a  violent  explosion  followed,  by 
which  twenty  persons  were  killed,  more  than  sixty 
wounded,  and  one  or  two  of  the  adjacent  houses 
thrown  down.  Of  the  sufferers  only  a  few  of  the 
slightly  wounded  belonged  to  the  retinue  of  the  First 
Consul ;  the  others  were  passengers,  but,  had  there 
been  a  carriage  behind,  it  must  have  been  blown  to 
atoms.  The  merest  chance  appears  to  have  saved 
Josephine  from  this  horrid  fate,  for  as  she  was  always 
very  punctual,  knowing  her  husband's  impatience  of 
being  detained,  her  carriage  would  in  all  probability 
have  followed  close  in  the  rear.  General  Rapp,  as 
we  have  seen,  remained  to  accompany  the  ladies ; 
Madame  Bonaparte's  shawl  being  presented  to  her, 
the  general  began  in  a  gay  mode  to  remark  on  the 
pattern  and  colour,  urging  another  more  becoming 
choice.  Josephine,  in  a  similar  tone  of  pleasantry, 
called  the  general  a  very  bold  man  in  venturing  to 
criticise  her  toilet,  adding,  "  In  return  I  shall  take  an 
opportunity  of  giving  you  a  lesson  how  to  attack  a 
redoubt;  meanwhile,  since  you  insist,"  addressing 
one  of  her  attendants,  "bring  me  the  general's 
favourite,"  indicating  the  shawl  which  Rapp  had 
mentioned.  In  this  way  a  delay  of  a  few  minutes 
ensued,  and  the  carriage,  containing  Madame  Bona- 
parte, Hortense,  and  Madame  Murat,  had  just  passed 
from  the  square  of  the  Carrousel  when  the  explosion 
took  place.  The  glasses,  even  at  that  distance,  were 
S2 


210  MEMOIRS    OF 

shattered  to  pieces.  Hortense  was  slightly  cut  in 
the  face  by  a  fragment,  and  Madame  Caroline,  then 
near  her  time  of  the  present  Prince  Achilles  Murat, 
was  seized  with  so  violent  a  nervous  affection  that 
she  could  not  proceed.  Josephine,  all  pale  and 
trembling,  arrived  at  the  opera,  where  her  appear- 
ance of  extreme  apprehension. contrasted  strongly 
with  the  perfect  calmness  of  the  consul.  The  latter 
remained,  however,  but  a  short  time ;  and,  on  return- 
ing to  the  Tuileries,  as  is  well  known,  broke  out  into 
a  violent  invective  against  Fouche  for  his  ignorance, 
and  the  Jacobins  for  their  contrivance,  of  the  plot. 
The  minister  of  police  maintained  that  the  royalists 
were  the  conspirators,  an  assertion  which,  unhappily 
for  the  honour  of  that  party,  subsequent  events 
confirmed.  The  following  letter,  written  by  Jose- 
phine to  Fouche,  as  minister  of  police,  shows,  that 
no  sooner  had  her  fears  for  the  safety  of  those  she 
loved  ceased,  than  pity  for  the  guilty,  and  a  desire 
to  soften  the  consequences,  took  possession  of  her 
heart : — - 

"  CITIZEN  MINISTER, — While  I  yet  tremble  at  the 
frightful  event  which  has  just  occurred,  I  am  dis- 
quieted and  distressed,  through  fear  of  the  punish- 
ment necessarily  to  be  inflicted  on  the  guilty,  who 
belong,  it  is  said,  to  families  with  whom  I  once 
lived  in  habits  of  intercourse.  I  shall  be  solicited 
by  mothers,  sisters,  and  disconsolate  wives ;  and 
my  heart  will  be  broken,  through  my  inability  to 
obtain  all  the  mercy  for  which  I  would  plead. 

"  I  know  that  the  clemency  of  the  First  Consul  is 
great,  his  attachment  to  me  extreme ;  but  the  crime 
is  too  dreadful  that  terrible  examples  should  not  be 
necessary.  The  chief  of  the  government  has  not 
been  alone  exposed ;  and  it  is  that  which  will  render 
him  severe, — inflexible.  I  conjure  you,  therefore, 
citizen  minister,  to  do  all  that  lies  in  your  power  to 
prevent  inquiries  being  pushed  too  far.  Do  not  de- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  211 

tect  all  those  persons  who  may  have  been  accom- 
plices in  these  odious  transactions.  Let  not  France, 
so  long  overwhelmed  in  consternation  by  public  exe- 
cutions, groan  anew  beneath  such  inflictions.  It  is 
ever  better  to  endeavour  to  sooth  the  public  mind, 
than  to  exasperate  men  by  fresh  terrors.  In  short, 
when  the  ringleaders  in  this  abominable  attempt 
shall  have  been  secured,  let  severity  give  place  to 
pity  for  inferior  agents,  seduced,  as  they  may  have 
been,  by  dangerous  falsehoods,  or  exaggerated 
opinions. 

"When  just  invested  with  supreme  power,  the 
First  Consul,  as  seems  to  me,  ought  rather  to  gain 
hearts  than  be  exhibited  as  ruling  slaves.  Soften 
by  your  counsels  whatever  may  be  too  violent  in 
his  just  resentment.  Punish — alas  !  that  you  must 
certainly  do — but  pardon  still  more.  Be  also  the 
support  of  those  unfortunate  men  who,  by  frank 
avowal,  or  repentance,  shall  expiate  a  portion  of 
their  crime. 

"  Having  myself  narrowly  escaped  perishing  in 
the  Revolution,  you  must  regard  as  quite  natural  my 
interference  in  behalf  of  those  who  can  be  saved 
without  involving  in  new  danger  the  life  of  my  hus- 
band, precious  to  me  and  to  France.  On  this  ac- 
count, do,  I  entreat  you,  make  a  wide  distinction 
between  the  authors  of  the  crime,  and  those  who, 
through  weakness  or  fear,  have  consented  to  take 
a  part  therein.  As  a  woman,  a  wife,  and  a  mother, 
I  must  feel  the  he artr endings  of  those  that  will 
apply  to  me.  Act,  citizen  minister,  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  the  number  of  these  may  be  lessened. 
This  will  spare  me  much  grief.  Never  will  I  turn 
away  from  the  supplications  of  misfortune  ;  but,  in 
the  present  instance,  you  can  do  infinitely  more 
than  I,  and  will,  on  this  account,  excuse  my  impor- 
tunity. Rely  on  my  gratitude  and  esteem." 

Thus  nobly  terminated,  in  the  cause  of  humanity 


212  MEMOIRS    OF 

Josephine's  connexion  with  an  event  which  had 
been  fraught  with  so  much  danger  and  sorrow  to 
herself,  but  which,  in  its  issue,  tended  greatly  to  the 
establishment  of  despotic  power  in  France. 

The  next  occurrence  of  importance  in  the  domestic 
fife  of  Josephine  was  the  marriage  of  her  daughter 
with  Louis  Bonaparte.  This  union  followed  close 
upon  the  transactions  now  related,  and  under  senti- 
ments of  mutual  estrangement  in  the  principal  par- 
ties, which  augured  ill  for  their  future  happiness. 
To  do  justice,  however,  it  must  be  recollected,  that 
the  affections  of  Mademoiselle  Beauharnais  were 
previously  engaged,  and  to  one  whom  Bonaparte 
himself  at  first  approved,  while  the  sentiments  of 
Louis  seem  hardly  to  have  been  understood.  At  the 
date  of  their  marriage  (January  7,  1802),  Hortense 
was  about  eighteen  and  Louis  twenty-four ;  a  long 
life  was  thus  before  them,  for  happiness  or  for 
wretchedness ;  yet  each  possessed  recommenda- 
tions, both  of  person  and  disposition,  well  adapted, 
with  proper  management — and  Josephine  certainly 
calculated  upon  that — to  secure  their  mutual  felicity. 
The  chief  cause  of  misunderstanding  in  a  union  thus 
externally  not  ill  assorted  is  attributed  to  previous 
attachments  in  both  instances.  Who  the  lady  was 
that  should  have  been  the  future  queen  of  Holland 
is  still  a  mystery ;  but  the  inclination  of  Hortense 
for  the  Grand  Marshal  Duroc,  and  even  Bonaparte's 
approval  of  their  correspondence,  are  well  known.* 
Duroc  was,  at  this  time,  about  thirty  years  of  age  ; 
cold  and  reserved,  but  ambitious,  he  seems  to  have 
regarded  a  union  with  Mademoiselle  de  Beauhar- 
nais, by  removing  him  from  personal  attendance  on 
the  First  Consul,  as  likely  rather  to  impede  than 
forward  his  interests.  In  the  end,  when  crowns  and 
principalities  confirmed  every  alliance  with  members 
of  the -imperial  family,  he  could  not  but  see,  and 

*  See  translation  of  Bourrienne,  vol.  ii.  p.  169-172.  Second  Edition. 
Constable's  Miscellany. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  213 

probably  regretted,  his  error.  In  all  probability,  too, 
Madame  Bonaparte,  resolved  on  accomplishing  a 
marriage  between  Hortense  and  Louis,  might  have 
used  her  influence  with  Duroc  to  forego  his  preten- 
sions. Over  this  transaction,  however,  in  all  its 
aspects,  contradiction  and  mystery  hang.  At  St. 
Helena.  Napoleon  has  asserted  that  the  match  was 
one  of  affection  between  his  brother  and  daughter- 
in-law,  while  he  has  maintained  the  most  perfect 
silence  on  the  predilection  of 'the  latter  for  his  own 
favourite  aid-de-camp,  as  well  as  the  countenance 
he  had  himself  given  to  their  correspondence  down 
to  the  4th  of  January,  1802.  Now,  so  far  from  the 
union  having  been  the  wish  of  the  parties,  the  very 
opposite  appeared,  from  the  first,  evident  to  all  Paris. 
"  Madame  Montesson" — thus  writes  one  friendly  to 
Josephine — "  gave  the  first  ball  which  took  place 
on  the  marriage  of  Louis  Bonaparte  with  Hortense 
de  Beauharnais.  Seven  hundred  invitations  were 
issued.  There  was  yet  no  imperial  dynasty ;  but, 
though  a  girl,  I  could  remark  the  extreme  eagerness, 
the  base  flattery,  of  all  ranks,  in  paying  court  to 
this  family,  whose  fortune  had  already  commenced 
in  a  way  to  baffle  all  calculation  as  to  where  its 
ambition  and  success  would  terminate.  The  am- 
bassadors were  present  at  this  fete,  which  was  truly 
magnificent.  All  respired  pleasure ;  every  counte- 
nance wore  the  expression  of  joy,  except  that  of 
the  newly  married  bride,  whose  profound  sadness 
contrasted  too  visibly  with  the  happiness  which  it 
was  the  etiquette  to  suppose  she  enjoyed.  Covered 
with  diamonds  and  flowers,  she  appeared  insensible 
to  every  thing  save  regret.  From  that  day,  sorrow 
might  easily  have  been  augured,  from  a  marriage 
where  the  contracting  parties  were  so  little  agree- 
able to  each  other."  Again,  the  correspondence  be- 
tween Duroc  and  Hortense  had  been  so  long  and  so 
openly  conducted,  as  to  be  known,  not  only  to  Bour- 
rienne,  but  to  several  other  members  of  the  consular 


214  MEMOIRS  OF 

household.  The  sudden  desertion,  by  the  former, 
of  engagements,  which  these  circumstances  cer- 
tainly imply,  without  some  secret  and  cogent  reason, 
is  hardly  to  be  reconciled  with  his  highly  honour- 
able character.  The  motive  also  alleged  for  Jose- 
phine's urging  this  unfortunate  match,  namely,  desire 
to  have  one  supporter  in  the  family  of  her  husband, 
where  all  else  were  hostile,  though  plausible,  is 
hardly  satisfactory ;  for  the  arrangement  seems  in- 
adequate to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object.  Hor- 
tense  could,  at  most,  have  influence  only  with  her 
husband,  who  does  not  appear  to  have  joined  in  any 
of  the  machinations  of  his  brothers ;  the  affection  of 
these  she  could  scarcely  be  expected  to  conciliate, 
and  they  would  take  care  effectually  to  conceal 
from  her  whatever  might  be  dangerous  to  her 
mother.  Whence,  then,  all  this  contradiction  and 
mysteriousness  1  and  why  should  so  much  art  have 
been  employed  to  render  two  beings  unhappy,  by  a 
union,  for  which  the  motives  appear  to  have  been 
so  insufficient  1  Surely  we  are  not  thence  to  infer 
the  truth  of  reports  damnatory  of  Napoleon's  hon- 
ourable affection  for  his  daughter-in-law.  But  is 
not  the  inference  probable,  that  a  principal,  though 
concealed,  motive  in  these  transactions  was,  by 
such  a  union,  to  give  the  lie  for  ever  to  these  impu- 
tations ?  Certain  it  is,  that  Josephine  knew  of  these 
allegations,  so  injurious  to  her  honour  and  her  peace. 
From  the  following  letter,  indeed,  written  long  after- 
ward, it  not  only  appears  that  she  was  well  aware 
of  them,  but  that  Hortense,  in  one  to  which  this  is 
the  answer,  had  accused  her  mother  of  being  op- 
posed to  the  separation  from  Louis,  as  giving  credit 
to  the  reports  of  having  a  rival  in  her  daughter. 

Josephine  to  Hortense. 

"You  have  ill  understood  me,  my  child ;  there  is 
nothing  equivocal  in  my  words,  as  there  cannot  exist 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  215 

an  uncandid  sentiment  in  rny  heart.  How  could  you 
conceive  that  I  participate  in  some  ridiculous,  or, 
perhaps,  malicious  opinions  1  No !  you  do  not  think 
that  I  believe  you  to  be  my  rival.  We,  indeed,  both 
reign  in  the  same  bosom,  though  by  very  different, 
yet  equally  sacred  rights ;  and  they  who,  in  the 
affection  which  my  husband  manifests  for  you,  have 
pretended  to  discover  other  sentiments  than  those 
of  a  parent  and  a  friend,  know  not  his  soul.  His  is 
a  mind  too  elevated  above  the  vulgar  ever  to  be  ac- 
cessible to  the  passions.  That  of  glory,  if  you  will, 
engrosses  him  too  entirely  for  our  repose  ;  but,  at 
least,  glory  inspires  nothing  vile.  Such,  as  touching 
him,  is  my  profession  of  faith.  I  make  the  confes- 
sion to  you  in  all  sincerity,  in  order  to  allay  your 
inquietudes.  When  I  recommended  to  you  to  love, 
or,  at  least,  not  to  repulse  Louis,  I  spoke  to  you  in 
my  character  of  an  experienced  wife,  an  attentive 
mother,  and  tender  friend,  and  in  this  threefold  rela- 
tion do  I  now  embrace  you." 

There  is  something  extremely  sad  in  reflecting  on 
the  misery  thus  entailed  upon  individuals  who,  in 
the  world's  estimation,  were  able  to  command  so 
large  a  share  of  happiness.  Duroc  afterward  mar- 
ried Signora  Hervas  d'Almenara,  daughter  of  the 
banker  to  the  court  of  Spain,  whose  immense  fortune 
afforded  but  slight  compensation  for  a  disagreeable 
person,  and  worse  temper.  But  Duroc  deserved  his 
fate,  which,  besides,  was  his  own  choice.  Not  so 
Hortense,  whose  condition  merits  commiseration. 
With  habits  and  dispositions  to  confer  and  enjoy 
happiness,  hers  had  been  a  life  of  sorrow  and  depri- 
vation from  childhood  almost  up  to  the  hour  in 
which  existence,  in  its  spring,  was  thus  overcast. 
The  narrow  circumstances  of  her  childhood — the 
death  of  her  father  on  a  scaffold — the  dreary  season 
which  intervened  before  her  mother's  second  mar- 
riage—had left  her  little  enjoyment,  except  the 


216  MEMOIRS   OF 

years  passed  at  St.  Germains  with  Madame  Campan. 
Now  that  she  had  .grown  into  a  beautiful  and  ac- 
complished woman,  with  a  heart  peculiarly  formed 
to  love  and  be  beloved,  these  very  affections  were 
crushed  for  ever  at  the  moment  when  every  thing 
had  seemed  to  smile  on  her  fortunes.  The  subse- 
quent events  of  her  life,  the  mutual  estrange  ,ent 
of  her  and  her  husband's  affections,  the  death  of 
their  favourite  son,  the  consequences  of  that  event, 
her  mother's  divorce,  her  own  ill  health,  and,  finally, 
the  ruin  of  that  very  greatness  to  which  sne  had 
been  sacrificed,  all  conspire  to  render  hers  one  of 
the  most  melancholy  instances  of  the  insufficiency 
of  grandeur  to  happiness.  Though  we  cannot  alto- 
gether acquit  Josephine  of  having,  in  some  degree, 
contributed  to  her  daughter's  misery,  at  least  it  ap- 
pears that  she  considered  the  character  of  Louis, 
and  even  his  sentiments  towards  Hortense,  as  cal- 
culated to  ensure  the  happiness  of  their  union.  On 
this  subject,  the  following  letter,  written  some  time 
before  the  separation,  proves,  as  already  stated,  that 
there  existed  any  thing  but  indifference  on  the  part 
of  Louis: — 

To  Queen  Hortense. 

"What  I  learned  eight  days  ago  gave  me  the 
greatest  pain ;  what  I  observe  to-day  confirms  and 
augments  my  sorrow.  Why  show  to  Louis  this  re- 
pugnance ?  Instead  of  rendering  him  more  ungra- 
cious still  by  caprice,  by  inequality  of  character,  why 
do  you  not  rather  make  efforts  to  surmount  your  indif- 
ference ?  But,  you  will  say,  he  is  not  amiable  !  All 
that  is  relative.  If  not  in  your  eyes,  he  may  appear 
so  to  others ;  and  all  women  do  not  view  him  through 
the  medium  of  dislike.  As  for  myself,  who  am  here 
altogether  disinterested,  I  imagine  I  behold  him  as 
he  is, — more  loving,  doubtless,  than  lovable  ;  but  this 
is  a  great  and  rare  quality:  generous,  beneficent, 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  217 

feeling,  and,  above  all,  an  excellent  father — if  you  so 
willed,  he  would  prove  a  good  husband  !  His  mel- 
ancholy, his  love  of  study  and  retirement,  injure  him 
in  your  estimation.  For  these,  I  ask  you,  is  he  to 
blame  ?  Is  he  obliged  to  confornvhis  nature  to  cir- 
cumstances 1  Who  could  have  predicted  to  him  his 
fortune  ?  But,  according  to  you,  he  has  not  even  the 
courage  to  bearxthat  fortune  !  This  I  believe  to  be 
an  error ;  but  he  certainly  wants  the  strength.  With 
his  ascetic  inclinations,  his  invincible  desire  of  re* 
tirement  and  study,  he  finds  himself  misplaced  in  the 
elevated  rank  to  which  he  has  attained.  You  desire 
that  he  should  imitate  his  brother :  give  him  first  of 
all  the  same  temperament.  You  have  not  failed  to 
remark,  that  almost  our  entire  existence  depends 
upon  our  health,  and  that  upon  our  digestion.  Let 
poor  Louis  digest  better,  and  you  would  find  him 
more  amiable.  But  such  as  he  is,  that  can  be  no 
reason  for  abandoning  him,  or  making  him  feel  the 
unbecoming  sentiment  with  which  he  inspires  you. 
Do  you,  whom  I  have  seen  so  kind,  continue  to  be  so 
at  the  moment  when  it  is  precisely  more  than  ever 
necessary.  Take  pity  on  a  man  who  has  to  lament 
that  he  possesses  what  would  constitute  another's 
happiness,  and,  before  condemning  him,  think  of 
others  who,  like  him,  have  groaned  beneath  the 
burden  of  their  greatness,  and  bathed  with  their 
tears  that  diadem  which  they  believed  had  never 
been  destined  for  their  brow." 

This  view  was  perfectly  correct.  Louis  Bonaparte, 
under  a  cold  exterior,  concealed  a  soul  of  intense 
feeling.  Ordinary  affections  were  not  sufficient; 
he  desired  to  engross  every  sentiment  of  love.  His 
wife's  purest  attachments,  her  tenderness  for  her 
mother  and  her  brother,  appeared  to  him  so  much 
withheld  from  her  husband.  He  was  jealous  of 
every  thing  which  might  distract  a  thought  from 
himself.  He  almost  had  forbidden  her  music  and 
T 


218  MEMOIRS    OF 

painting,  accomplishments  which  Hortense  cult! 
vated  most  successfully,  thinking  even  these  inno- 
cent occupations  criminal,  in  the  devotion  with 
which  they  were  pursued.  This  morbid  sensibility, 
rather  than  want  of  affection,  was  the  cause  of  their 
mutual  unhappiness.  Had  her  daughter  followed 
Josephine's  excellent  advice — had  she  studied  and 
endeavoured  to  sooth  the  dispositions  of  Louis — • 
the  fate  of  both  might  have  been  very  different. 
Hortense  was  eminently  qualified  to  have  suc- 
ceeded here.  She  was  a  most  agreeable  woman,  in 
manners,  talents,  accomplishments,  and  all  the 
graces  of  an  amiable  character.  She  was  not  ex- 
actly beautiful ;  for  the  conformation  of  her  mouth 
and  her  teeth,  which  rather  projected,  took  away 
from  the  regularity  of  a  countenance  otherwise 
very  pleasing  all  its  sweetness  and  benignity  of  ex- 
pression. Her  eyes,  like  her  mother's,  were  blue, 
her  complexion  clear,  and  her  hair  of  a  charming 
blond.  In  stature,  she  did  not  exceed  the  middle 
size ;  but  her  person  was  beautifully  formed.  Louis, 
of  all  his  brothers,  most  resembled  Napoleon,  and, 
had  he  enjoyed  good  health,  he  would  have  been 
much  handsomer. 

The  first  months  of  the  year  1802  were  passed 
very  agreeably  by  Josephine,  in  accompanying  the 
First  Consul  in  various  excursions,  one  of  her  su- 
preme delights,  or  chiefly  in  her  beloved  retirement 
at  Malmaison.  The  journey  to  Lyons,  and  the 
meeting  of  Italian  deputies,  immediately  followed 
the  hopeless  nuptials  of  her  daughter ;  and  as  the 
honour  of  president  of  the  Cisalpine  Republic,  then 
conferred  upon  Napoleon,  might  be  considered  a 
preliminary  step  to  a  higher  name,  the  entertain- 
ments at  this  second  capital  of  France  were  of 
almost  royal  magnificence.  Every  tongue  was 
eloquent  in  praise  of  Josephine's  demeanour  in 
these  fetes,  where  she  took  care  always  to  appear 
attended  b^  the  chief  magistrates,  gaining  all  hearts 


'THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  219 

r 

by  her  grace  and  affability.  During  a  succeeding 
residence  of  some  weeks  at  Malmaison,  Josephine 
happened  to  be  in  the  cabinet  one  morning  when  an 
individual  was  introduced  whose  coat  had  once  been 
newer,  a  circumstance  sufficient  of  itself  to  give  the 
wearer  an  air  of  embarrassment,  independently  of  an 
address  naturally  none  of  the  easiest.  The  person 
at  length  took  courage  to  introduce  himself  as  the 
Professor  at  Brienne,  who  had  had  the  signal  honour 
to  teach  the  First  Consul  writing. — "  And  a  proper 
penman  you  made  of  me  !"  exclaimed  the  latter,  in 
great  apparent  wrath ;  "  ask  my  wife  there."  The 
poor  man  was  in  great  distress.  Josephine  laughed, 
and  said  something  about  the  letters  being  always 
delightful.  Bonaparte  laughed  too,  and  finished  by 
giving  the  writing-master  a  small  pension  for  life. 
All  his  surviving  instructers  at  Brienne  were  in  fact 
thus  remembered.  This  gentleman,  however,  to- 
gether with  the  Latin  master,  had  certainly  no 
reason  to  be  proud  of  their  pupil.  Napoleon's  let- 
ters were  not  only  miserably  written,  as  everybody 
knows,  and  sometimes  not  very  correctly  spelled, 
but  were,  moreover,  bedaubed  all  over  with  large 
blotches ;  for  he  had  a  practice  of  dipping  his  pen 
into  the  inkholder  at  every  word,  and  throwing  the 
superfluous  liquid  on  his  paper.  So  much  was  this 
the  case,  that  a  lady  attached  to  the  imperial  house- 
hold, seeing  Josephine,  as  she  stood  behind  her 
chair,  often  reading  letters  announced  as  coming 
from  the  emperor,  and  being  short-sighted,  i elates, 
that  for  a  long  while  she  conceived  the  correspond- 
ence to  consist  chiefly  of  sketches  and  maps  in  min- 
iature, and  got  very  heartily  laughed  at  upon  in- 
quiring concerning  these  supposed  specimens  in 
geography  and  the  fine  arts. 

A  tour  of  fifteen  days  through  Normandy  and 
the  northern  provinces  followed  soon  after.  This 
part  of  France  Bonaparte  had  not  visited  since  some 
time  before  setting  out  for  Egypt,  and  ^Josephine 


220  MEMOIRS    OF 

not  since  she  had  been  there  with  her  first  husband. 
Each  had  food  for  reflection  on  the  change  of  their 
respective  conditions;  but  hope  pointed  onwards, 
for  everywhere,  throughout  this  powerful  depart- 
ment of  the  ancient  monarchy,  the  enthusiasm 
which  greeted  the  approach  of  the  First  Consul 
clearly  showed  how  easy,  so  far  as  the  people  were 
concerned,  would  be  the  re-edification  of  the  throne. 
The  fact,  indeed,  is  undoubted,  that  the  expression 
of  public  sentiment  which  he  then  witnessed  con- 
tributed much  to  strengthen,  if  not  to  accelerate, 
his  resolution  of  assuming,  in  his  own  person,  the 
forms  of  royalty.  The  ancient  city  of  Evreux, 
afterward  more  noted  in  the  less  happy  period  of 
Josephine's  life,  was  forward,  upon  this  occasion,  to 
manifest  its  attachment.  A  local  functionary,  of 
long  standing  and  considerable  rank,  had  under- 
taken to  do  the  honours  of  the  place,  and  rendered 
himself  highly  agreeable  to  Madame  Bonaparte. 
Among  other  subjects,  she  expressed  her  interest 
by  inquiring  about  his  family— how  many  children 
he  had.  "  Cin-z-enfans"  replied  the  prefect,  in  the 
provincial  accent — meaning  to  have  said  cinq  enfans 
(five  children). — "Sixteen  children!"  repeated  the 
astonished  inquirer,  misled  by  sound ;  "  ah !  mon 
Dieu !  what  a  regiment— seize  enfans  /" — "  Yes,  mad- 
am," reiterated  the  functionary,  "  cin-z-enfans ;"  sur- 
prised, in  his  turn,  how  it  should  appear  strange  that 
an  honest  man  had  five  children.  One  of  his  col- 
leagues, remarking  the  mutual  mistake,  good-na- 
turedly thought  of  coming  to  the  relief  of  both 
parties ;  and,  after  setting  to  rights  the  affair  of 
numbers,  added,  with  the  greatest  simplicity  and 
earnestness,  "  Deign,  madam,  to  excuse  my  friend's 
pronunciation ;  the  Re  volution  interrupted  the  course 
of  his  studies."  The  man  was  then  above  sixty  B 
Madame  Bonaparte  received  with  the  greatest  gra- 
vity an  explanation  which  would  have  made  the  wor- 
thy magistrate  a  schoolboy  at  rather  more  than  fifty 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  221 

On  returning  from  his  northern  tour,  Ihe  First 
Consul  took  up  his  country  residence  in  the  palace 
of  St.  Cloud ;  at  the  same  time,  a  decree  of  his  col- 
leagues granted  to  Josephine  "  four  ladies  to  assist 
her  in  doing  the  honours  of  the  palace,"  and  soon 
after  were  added  four  prefects — germs  these  of  the 
future  court.  This  establishment  in  a  second  royal 
palace  had  scarcely  taken  place  a  few  days,  when 
the  magnificent  pile,  now  repaired  and  refurnished 
at  an  immense  expense,  had  nearly  been  reduced 
to  ashes  by  a  nocturnal  conflagration.  The  fire 
originated  in  the  soldiers  of  the  guard  having  over- 
charged one  of  the  stoves  in  the  vestibule,  the  flues 
of  which,  communicating  with  one  of  the  saloons, 
set  the  furniture  on  flames.  The  commanding  offi- 
cer, perceiving  the  smoke  issuing  from  the  windows, 
called  the  concierge,  and  both  ran  in  all  haste  to 
awake  General  Duroc.  The  general,  commanding 
the  most  perfect  silence,  organized  a  chain  of  sol- 
diers from  the  nearest  piece  of  water  to  the  palace ; 
and,  getting  first  into  the  reservoir  himself,  to  en- 
courage others,  the  fire  was  at  length  extinguished, 
but  not  till  after  two  or  three  hours'  incessant  labour. 
The  First  Consul  expressed  his  great  satisfaction 
with  Duroc's  proceedings,  especially  in  not  awaken^- 
ing  any  of  the  inmates ;  but  Josephine's  surprise 
may  be  conceived,  on  entering,  next  morning,  her 
splendid  drawing-room — the  admiration  of  all  Paris 
— and  finding  it  a  scene  of  such  utter  ruin. 

The  spring  of  the  same  year  beheld  various  im» 
portant  steps  towards  the  establishment  of  mon- 
archy. The  consulship  for  life — the  institution  of 
the  legion  of  honour — the  re-establishment  of  the 
public  ordinances  of  religion—- and  the  proceedings 
of  government,  abolished  the  last  lingering  forms 
of  the  republic.  In  all  these  changes,  Josephine, 
of  course,  had  little  to  do.  In  the  restoration  of 
religious  worship  she,  indeed,  took  the  warmest 
interest ;  but  we  dare  hardly  affirm  that  this  con- 
T2 


222  MEMOIRS    OF 

cern  arose  from  a  sense  of  religion  itself— beyond 
the  mere  remembrance  of  its  orderly  respectabili* 
ties.  There  then  existed  among  the  upper  ranks 
in  France  little  of  the  feeling  at  all ;  in  the  consular 
court  itself,  most  were  directly  opposed;  and  only 
throughout  the  middle  class  did  any  really  religious 
sentiment  remain.  But  Josephine  viewed  the  mat- 
ter, though  not  in  its  inward  and  intrinsic  principles, 
at  least  in  all  its  charities ;  she  saw  that  the  measure 
would  recall  many  to  their  native  land ;  be  the 
means  of  reuniting  a  priesthood  whose  members 
were  dispersed  throughout  Europe,  all  in  a  condition 
of  more  or  less  suffering ;  and  would  further  tend 
to  peace,  confidence,  and  unanimity  at  home.  Bo- 
naparte himself  viewed  the  whole  as  an  affair  not 
merely  political,  but  as  one  of  personal  politics. 
The  Catholic  religion  has  ever  been  the  firmest  sup- 
port of  absolute  power ;  and,  therefore,  he  now  de- 
sired its  re-establishment  in  France.  How  he  per- 
suaded others  appears  from  the  following  scene, 
which  took  place  on  the  morning  of  the  first  cele- 
bration of  mass  in  Notre  Dame.  Bonaparte  had 
risen  early,  and  nearly  finished  dressing,  when  his 
brother  Joseph  and  his  colleague  Cambaceres  en- 
tered. "  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  the  First  Consul, 
"  we  go  to  mass  this  morning ;  what  say  they  to 
that  in  Paris  ?" — "  Many  people,"  replied  Camba- 
ceres, "  propose  to  attend  the  first  representation,  in 
order  to  hiss  the  piece  should  they  not  find  it  amus- 
ing."— "  If  any  one  takes  it  into  his  head  to  hiss,  I 
shall  have  him  put  to  the  door  by  the  grenadiers  of 
the  consular  guard !" — "  But  if  the  grenadiers  them- 
selves take  to  hissing  like  the  rest  ]" — "  As  to  that 
I  have  no  fear ;  my  old  moustaches  will  go  here  to 
Notre  Dame  just  as  at  Cairo  they  would  have  gone 
to  the  mosque.  They  will  remark  how  I  do  ;  and, 
seeing  their  general  grave  and  decent,  they  will  be 
so  too,  passing  the  word  to  each  other, — •  counter- 
sign—Decency.'' " — "  But,"  said  Joseph,  "  I  am  afraid 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  223 

the  general  officers  will  not  be  so  accommodating. 
I  have  just  been  with  Augereau,  who  is  all  fire  and 
fury  against  what  he  calls  your  monkish  mania.  It 
will  prove  no  easy  matter  to  bring  him  and  some 
others  within  the  pale  of  holy  mother  church." — 
"  Bah !"  interrupted  Napoleon,  "  so  Augereau  puts 
on  airs  !  I  know  him :  he  will  bluster ;  but  if  he  has 
any  imbecile  cousin,  for  whom  he  finds  it  difficult 
to  provide,  he  will  send  him  to  college  in  hopes  I 
may  make  him  an  almoner.  Apropos,"  turning  to 
the  second  consul,  "  Cambaceres,  when  does  your 
brother  set  out  to  take  possession  of  the  see  of 
Rouen  1  I  assure  you  it  is  one  of  the  richest  arch- 
bishoprics in  France.  He  shall  be  a  cardinal  within 
the  year ;  it  is  a  matter  settled."  The  complaisant 
colleague  made  one  of  his  best  bows,  with  his 
sweetest  smiles,  and  thenceforth  became  a  strenu- 
ous supporter  of  the  church  and  her  establishments  ! 
How  many  acted  like  Cambaceres!  Was  there 
any  thing  wonderful  in  Bonaparte's  contempt  of  man- 
kind, judging  of  the  whole  from  those  of  whom  he 
had  experience!  "I  have  only  to  gild  the  badge 
for  your  honest  republicans !"  he  would  say,  and 
could  affirm  with  truth,  "  and  they  are  my  humble 
servants ;  I  have  but  to  promise  bread  to  your  in- 
fidels, and  they  would  be  priests !" 

Among  all  the  events,  however,  which  marked 
the  early  part  of  1802,  the  peace  with  England, 
ratified  by  the  treaty  of  Amiens  on  the  25th  of 
April,  tended  most  directly  to  the  immediate  con- 
solidation of  Bonaparte's  power,  both  as  it  was  thus 
acknowledged  abroad  and  felt  to  be  beneficial  at 
home.  The  occasion,  also,  afforded  to  Josephine 
an  opportunity  of  exercising  her  powers  of  pleasing 
upon  some  of  the  most  celebrated  of  our  country- 
men, whose  reception  at  the  Tuileries  and  in  the 
more  marked  cases  at  Malmaison  left  an  impression 
in  her  favour,  not  without  its  effects  in  arrangements 
of  a  much  ulterior  date.  Of  all  the  English  of  every 


224  MEMOIRS   OF 

rank  who  then  crowded  to  Paris,  Mr.  Fox,  though 
visiting  France  as  a  simple  individual,  drew  the 
largest  share  of  attention.  The  unostentatious,  yet 
highly  respectful  manner  in  which  Madame  Bona- 
parte's first  especial  invitation  was  conveyed  to  the 
English  statesman  showed  perfect  understanding 
of  the  admirable  simplicity  of  his  character.  Mr. 
Fox,  accompanied  by  Lord  and  Lady  Holland,  had 
been  invited  to  a  dejeune  at  Madame  Recamier's, 
whose  beauty  and  talent  had  acquired  for  her  the 
greatest  name  in  a  species  of  reputation  of  all  others 
most  courted  in  France,  though  scarcely  known 
among  ourselves, — conversational  reputation.  This, 
though  it  leaves  behind  no  debt  of  admiration  to  be 
paid  by  posterity,  by  throwing  a  charm  over  social 
intercourse,  is  of  all  the  merely  pleasing  qualifica- 
tions best  entitled  to  the  gratitude  of  contemporaries. 
The  party  was  numerous,  including,  besides  most 
of  the  distinguished  names  in  the  warfare  and  lite- 
rature of  the  period,  several  other  English  guests, — as 
the  Dutchess  of  Gordon,  and  her  daughter  the  present 
Dutchess  of  Bedford,  the  British  ambassador,  and 
the  particular  friend  of  Fox,  Mr.,  afterward  Lord, 
Erskine.  Breakfast  had  nearly  concluded,  when 
the  sounds  of  horsemen  in  haste  resounded  in  the 
court,  and  in  a  few  minutes  Eugene  Beauharnais 
was  announced.  Advancing  to  Madame  Recamier, 
and  expressing  his  regret  at  having  come  late,  where 
the  invitation  had  been  so  agreeable  to  /limself,  the 
young  soldier  turned  to  Mr.  Fox,  and  said,  "  I  hope, 
sir,  soon  to  be  enabled  in  some  measure  to  indemnify 
myself  for  the  loss  of  your  society  I  have  sustained ; 
I  am  commissioned  by  my  mother  to  attend  you  to 
Malmaison,  and  precede  only  by  a  few  minutes  the 
carriages  destined  for  you  and  your  friends,  when 
you  can  resolve  on  leaving  so  many  charms  as  must 
detain  you  here.  I  shall  have  much  pleasure  in 
acting  as  your  guide."  Eugene  and  the  young  friend 
by  whom  he  was  accompanied,  Philippe  de  Segur, 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  225 

so  deservedly  known  as  the  author  of  the 
"  Russian  Campaign,"  like  those  accustomed  to  the 
hasty  meals  of  the  First  Consul,  sat  down  to  coffee, 
and,  in  a  few  minutes,  the  company  rose  and  sepa- 
rated into  groups.  It  was  observed,  that  Moreau 
and  Fox  went  out  arm  and  arm  for  a  walk  in  the 
park.  After  a  short  adjournment  to  the  saloon, 
where  Talma  gave  some  of  his  astonishing  recita- 
tions from  the  translated  scenes  of  Othello  and 
Macbeth,  the  party  broke  up,  and  Mr.  Fox,  with  his 
friends,  repaired  to  Malmaison  in  the  First  Consul's 
carriage,  which  had  been  in  waiting. 

Nothing  could  be  more  amiable  or  gracious  than 
their  reception  at  Malmaison.  Josephine  made  use 
of  all  her  unrivalled  powers  of  pleasing,  which  she 
could  so  well  do  without  effort,  and  completely  suc- 
ceeded. In  his  own  words,  our  great  statesman 
"retired  enchanted  with  the  elegance  and  grace  of 
all  he  saw  and  heard."  With  the  best  taste,  every 
thing  like  parade  had  been  banished :  the  party  was 
almost  a  family  one.  Before  dinner,  Madame  Bona- 
parte, knowing  his  taste  for  botany  and  agricultural 
pursuits,  conducted  her  guest  through  her  fine  col- 
lections of  rare  plants,  talked  of  improvements,  and 
seemed  anxious  to  profit  by  his  opinions.  Of  the 
impression  made  in  return,  it  is  sufficient  merely  to 
recall  the  brief  eulogium,  but,  coming  from  Bonaparte, 
full  of  deep  meaning, — "  Mr.  Fox  is  truly  a  superior 
man."  On  leaving  Malmaison,  Mr.  Fox  drove  to  the 
Theatre  Frai^ais,  where  he  was  recognised,  and 
saluted  with  unanimous  plaudits.  Perhaps  no  man, 
whose  claims  to  respect  in  a  foreign  country  rested 
solely  on  his  personal  merit  and  reputation,  ever  re- 
ceived a  more  flattering  mark  of  public  esteem,  than 
this  disinterested  applause.  The  previous  public 
reception  of  Mr.  Fox  by  the  First  Consul  at  the 
Tuileries  had  been  marked  by  extraordinary  courtesy, 
In  the  first  apartment  into  which  he  was  shown  he 
found  his  own  bust ;  and  on  passing  into  the  saloon  of 


226  MEMOIRS   OF 

audience,  the  First  Consul  advanced  to  wards  him,  and 
said,  "  Mr.  Fox,  I  congratulate  myself  on  seeing  you 
in  Paris.  I  have  long  admired  you  as  an  orator,  and 
as  a  sincere  friend  of  your  country.  I  esteem 
myself  fortunate  in  your  acquaintance."  In  almost 
every  evening  party — and  these  were  at  this  period 
peculiarly  splendid  and  agreeable  at  Malmaison — 
Mr.  Fox  appeared,  and  we  have  the  evidence  of 
others  present,  that  the  First  Consul,  of  all  his  guests 
or  visiters,  saw  the  English  statesman  with  the 
greatest  pleasure.  Yet  how  much  Napoleon  had 
mistaken  the  character  of  the  man  whom  he  so 
much  admired,  evidently  appears  from  the  fact,  that, 
in  his  subsequent  plans  of  invasion,  he  calculated 
upon  the  co-operation  of  the  political  party  which 
Mr.  Fox  headed ;  as  if  any  difference  of  opinion  at 
home  could  ever  disunite  Britons  in  the  defence  of 
their  country  against  a  foreign  foe  ! 

At  this  time,  when  the  best  society  of  Europe 
had  assembled  in  Paris,  and  when  France  had  begun 
to  recover  from  the  storms  of  revolution,  pleasure 
seemed  to  be  the  universal  pursuit.  In  the  amuse- 
ments of  a  capital,  thus  more  than  usually  gay,  the 
masked  ball  at  the  Salon  des  Strangers,  where  the 
Marquis  de  Livry  officiated  as  master  of  the  ceremo- 
nies, took  the  lead.  Under  the  protection  of  a 
domino,  various,  of  course,  were  the  affairs  besides 
dancing  here  carried  on.  Gaming,  in  particular, 
reached  a  fearful  excess ;  and  many  are  the  broad 
acres  in  Britain  that  yet  feel  the  pressuie  of  a  bad 
run  at  the  Salon  des  JStrangers.  Four  thousand 
pounds  was  no  extraordinary  sum  to  be  risked  on  a 
single  card;  and  twelve  thousand  guineas  might  be 
seen  to  change  hands  at  a  single  throw.  An  Eng- 
lishman was  in  the  constant  practice  of  giving  the 
servant  a  louis  each  time  that  he  required  any  thing. 
In  one  evening  he  had  given  him  ten  pieces.  "  My 
lord,"  said  the  attendant,  surprised  at  this  generosity, 
"  you  are  probably  not  aware  that  no  one  is  required 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  227 

to  pay  here."—"  Poh !  poh !  it  signifies  little,"  was 
the  reply ;  "when  a  man  can  afford  to  be  five  thou- 
sand pounds  richer  or  poorer,  according  as  a  card  is 
red  or  black,  he  may  well  give  a  few  louis  to  a  poor 
devil  at  the  back  of  his  chair ;  so,  my  good  fellow, 
here  are  ten  others,  just  to  convince  you  that  I  acted 
under  no  mistake."  In  this  scene  of  dissipation  the 
First  Consul  never  made  his  appearance;  he  dis- 
liked play,  and  would  have  found  it  impossible  to 
conceal  himself  under  any  disguise.  Josephine,  how- 
ever, did  sometimes  pass  an  hour  in  looking  at  the 
dancers,  usually  attended  by  her  son.  On  one  of 
these  occasions  a  circumstance  took  place  too  in- 
teresting to  be  omitted  here,  especially  as  it  cor- 
roborates some  earlier  particulars  of  the  narrative. 
"  Chance,"  says  the  baroness  whom  we  have  already 
quoted,  "  rendered  me  witness  of  a  singular  scene  at 
one  of  these  balls.  It  was  near  two  in  the  morning, 
the  crowd  immense,  and  the  heat  overpowering.  I 
had  ascended  for  a  little  to  the  apartments  above, 
and,  refreshed  by  the  cool  air,  was  about  to  descend, 
when  a  sound  of  voices  in  the  adjoining  apartment, 
in  earnest  conversation,  caught  my  attention.  '  Who- 
ever would  hear,'  says  Beaumarchais,  *  must  neces- 
sarily listen ;'  so,  applying  my  ear  to  the  partition,  I 
might  probably  have  soon  satisfied  my  curiosity,  had 
not  the  name  of  Bonaparte,  and  the  discovery  that 
Josephine  and  Madame  Tallien  were  the  speakers, 
excited  a  real  curiosity.  '  I  declare,  my  dear  There- 
sina,'  said  the  former, '  that  I  have  done  all  friend- 
ship could  dictate,  but  in  vain.  No  later  than  this 
morning  I  made  a  new  effort.  Bonaparte  would  hear 
of  nothing.  I  cannot  comprehend  what  can  have 
prejudiced  him  so  strongly  against  you.  You  are 
the  only  woman  whose  name  he  has  effaced  from 
the  list  of  my  particular  friends ;  and  from  fear  lest 
he  should  manifest  his  displeasure  directly  against  us 
have  I  now  come  hither  alone  with  my  son.  At  this 
moment  they  believe  me  sound  asleep  in  my  bed  in 


228  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  chateau  (Tuileries) ;  but  I  determined  on  coming 
to  see,  to  warn,  and  to  console  you ;  above  all,  to 
justify  myself.'  '  Josephine,'  replied  the  other  lady, 
*  I  have  never  doubted  either  the  goodness  of  your 
heart  or  the  sincerity  of  your  affection.  Heaven  is 
my  witness,  that  the  loss  of  your  friendship  would 
be  to  me  much  more  painful  than  any  dread  of  Bona- 
parte. In  these  difficult  times  I  have  maintained  a 
conduct  that  might,  perhaps,  render  my  visits  an 
honour ;  but  I  will  never  importune  you  without  his 
consent.  He  was  not  consul  when  Tallien  followed 
him  into  Egypt — when  I  received  you  both  into  my 
house — when  I  shared  with  you' — here  a  burst  of 
tears  interrupted  the  speaker's  words.  '  Calm  your- 
self,' replied  Josephine  ;  '  be  calm,  my  dear  There- 
sina !  let  the  storm  pass.  I  am  paving  the  way  for 
a  reconciliation;  but  we  must  not  irritate  him  more. 
You  know  that  he  does  not  love  Ouvrard,  and  it 
is  said  he  often  sees  you.'  '  What,  then !  because 
he  governs  France,  does  he  hope  to  tyrannize  over 
our  hearths  ?— must  we  sacrifice  to  him  our  private 
friendships  V  At  these  words  some  one  knocked  at 
the  door ;  it  was  Beauharnais.  '  Madam,'  said  he, 
'  you  have  been  now  more  than  an  hour  absent ;  the 
council  of  ministers  is  perhaps  over ;  what  will  the 
First  Consul  say  should  he  not  find  you  on  his  re- 
turn ?'  The  two  ladies  slowly  descended  the  stairs, 
still  conversing  in  earnest  whisper,  followed  by 
Eugene." 

It  is  not  easy  to  explain  Bonaparte's  resentment 
against  Madame  Tallien  save  on  the  general  prin- 
ciple which  regulated  his  conduct  throughout, — that 
of  ingratitude  to  all  who  had  ever  rendered  him  es- 
sential service  in  the  season  of  his  obscurity.  He 
wished  to  appear  the  creator  of  his  own  fortunes ; 
and  whatever  might  derogate  from  such  a  claim  must 
be  discountenanced.  At  the  same  time,  this  did  not 
prevent  his  being  occasionally  ostentatiously  grate- 
ful for  benefits  of  small  account.  The  declared  cause 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  229 

of  his  aversion  would,  in  proper  circumstances,  have 
been  praiseworthy ;  but  it  was  odious  to  pretend  so 
much  respect  for  purity  and  decorum  of  manners 
while  he  suffered  in  the  examples  of  his  own  sisters, 
with  the  exception  of  Madame  Murat,  the  grossest 
instances  of  the  reverse.  Against  Ouvrard,  the  fa- 
mous banker,  whose  fetes  at  this  very  time  outdid 
in  splendour  the  entertainments  of  sovereigns,  there 
existed  two  causes  of  complaint.  He  had  refused  to 
lend  money  when  the  consul  could  not  give  sufficient 
security ;  and  next,  it  was  a  maxim  with  the  latter, 
"  A  man  possessed  of  thirty  millions  (a  million  and 
a  quarter  sterling)  will  always  be  dangerous  in  my 
government."*  Meanwhile,  Josephine  had  causes 
of  nearer  sorrow  than  even  the  disgrace  of  ancient 
friends.  Bonaparte  had  now  in  the  view  of  his  am- 
bition the  founding  of  a  new  dynasty.  His  hopes 
of  posterity  in  his  own  line  had  daily  less  chance 
of  being  realized ;  and  divorce,  she  knew,  was  al- 
ready talked  of  by  her  enemies.  Circumstances,  too, 
perhaps  of  themselves  necessary,  and  which  cer- 
tainly did  not  warrant  the  interpretation,  seemed  to 
her  thus  alarmed  anxiety  to  indicate  a  decrease  in 
her  husband's  affection.  More  ceremony  and  state 
in  the  consular  establishment  introduced  also  colder 
forms  of  domestic  intercourse.  During  the  earlier 
period  of  the  consulate,  both  at  Malmaison  and  in 
the  Tuileries,  the  First  Consul  and  his  spouse  occu- 
pied the  same  bedchamber,  not  differing  here  from 
the  homeliest  citizen  and  his  wife.  This  continued 
for  some  time  at  St.  Cloud.  But  soon  after  the  oc- 
cupation of  that  palace,  they  had  not  only  separate 
apartments,  but  those  were  placed  at  a  considerable 
distance  from  each  other,  at  the  opposite  extremities 
of  a  long  corridor,  to  the  right  and  left  of  which 
were  the  chambers  of  the  principal  ladies  of  the 
court.  At  one  end  Bonaparte's  apartment  opened 

*  For  an  account  of  Ouvrard's  amazing  speculations,  see  Bourrienne, 
vol.  iii.  p.  153,  2d  edit. 


230  MEMOIRS    OF 

on  a  level  with  the  floor  of  the  corridor ;  but  at  the 
other  Josephine's  was  still  farther  removed  by  a 
flight  of  several  steps.  The  grief  occasioned  to  the 
latter  by  this  separation,  arising  from  the  construc- 
tion which  she  put  upon  the  change,  was  very  great. 
Exactly  for  the  same  reason,  the  occasions  upon 
which  less  coldness  had  taken  place  in  conjugal 
arrangements,  and  Napoleon,  instead  of  passing  the 
night  in  his  own,  had  slept  in  his  wife's  apartment, 
were  known  to  the  whole  household  in  the  morning. 
Josephine  at  such  times  always  appeared  later  than 
usual,  for  they  generally  passed  half  the  night  in 
conversation.  "  I  think  I  see  her  still,"  says  a  very 
respectable  member  of  the  household,  "  coming  into 
breakfast  upon  such  occasions,  looking  quite  cheer- 
ful, rubbing  her  little  hands  (a  habit  of  hers  when  in 
good-humour),  and  apologizing  for  having  risen  so 
late.  On  such  occasions  she  was,  if  possible,  more 
gracious  than  wont ;  refused  nobody ;  and  we  were 
sure  of  obtaining  every  thing  we  asked,  as  I  have 
myself  many  times  experienced."  We  cannot  but 
regret  that  affections  so  kind  and  so  artlessly  dis- 
played should  ever  have  been  crossed.  For  the 
present,  however,  her  fears  were  vain.  The  power 
granted  by  the  nation  of  appointing  a  successor  to 
the  perpetual  consulship,  his  yet  unfixed  policy,  the 
birth  of  a  son  to  Louis,  and  chiefly  his  undoubted 
affection  for  Josephine,  effaced  from  Napoleon's  mind 
the  impressions  which  were  certainly  attempted  to 
be  made,  previous  even  to  the  empire,  in  favour  of 
a  divorce. 

Meanwhile,  the  peace  with  England  had  produced 
only  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  a  few  months ;  war, 
and  with  it  projects  of  invasion,  were  renewed.  At 
this  time,  too,  the  correspondence  between  Napoleon 
and  the  Bourbons  finally  closed,  by  an  absurd  offer 
on  his  part  of  an  independent  principality  to  the 
latter  in  return  for  their  formal  resignation  of  the 
crown  of  France.  To  bring  this  negotiation  to  a 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE:  231 

favourable  issue  in  the  restoration  of  the  Bourbons 
had  been  a  favourite  object  with  Josephine.  She  la- 
boured assiduously  but  prudently  in  their  cause,  both 
from  attachment  and  interest.  She  had  even  a  pre- 
sentiment that  her  election  to  the  throne  of  France 
would  terminate  in  her  own  misfortune  and  in  the 
ruin  of  Napoleon.  "  To  be  the  wife  of  the  First  Con- 
sul," she  often  repeated,  "  fulfils  my  utmost  am- 
bition ;  only  let  me  remain  so."  "  Give  the  Bour- 
bons hope,"  she  would  say  to  Bonaparte  ;  "  at  least 
that  pledges  you  to  nothing."  Meantime,  she  im- 
proved the  season  of  indecision  thus  prolonged  by 
giving  facilities  to  their  friends  of  negotiating ;  and 
it  is  only  justice  to  say,  that  the  Bourbons  at  first 
showed  themselves  disposed  to  be  grateful  to  both. 
Now  it  is  not  so,  otherwise  the  grandson  of  Jose- 
phine would  not  have  been  formally  excepted  among 
the  candidates  to  the  Belgian  crown. 

Besides  the  revolutionary  conflicts,  the  first  and 
with  one  sad  exception,  the  only  time  that  Josephine 
mingled  in  something  like  active  warfare,  was  at 
Boulogne.  Her  progress  to  and  from  the  coast,  in- 
deed, and  her  residence  there,  resembled  rather  a  fes- 
tive procession  (for  every  town  had  its  presents  or 
its  fetes)  than  a  warlike  progress  by  Napoleon, 
whom  she  accompanied.  She  beheld,  however,  a 
gallant  and  well-appointed  army  watched  by  a  Brit- 
ish fleet,  and  occasionally  witnessed  an  exchange 
of  no  friendly  salute  as  the  ships  bore  in  to  recon- 
noitre or  to  cut  off  a  convoy.  The  cannon  even 
which  announced  her  own  and  the  consul's  arrival 
were  answered  by  bullets  from  the  hostile  squadron. 
The  invading  troops  were  stationed  in  four  separate 
camps ;  but  the  principal  one,  with  head-quarters, 
occupied  the  heights  of  Boulogne.  The  whole  adja- 
cent coast  bristled  with  the  most  formidable  batte- 
ries. Thus,  what  with  the  guns  in  position,  those 
of  the  flotilla,  and  of  the  English  ships  in  the  attack 
which  Nelson  made  upon  the  French  armament  in 


232  MEMOIRS   OF 

the  autumn  preceding  the  peace,  eighteen  hundred 
pieces  of  ordnance  thundered  at  once.  After  seven 
hours  of  fighting,  the  British  admiral  drew  off,  having 
inflicted  some  and  suffered  much  injury  from  this 
"  coast  of  iron."  Great  additions  had  since  been 
made ;  the  port  of  Boulogne  was  defended  by  no  less 
than  four  separate  forts,  each  mounting  cannon  and 
mortars  of  extraordinary  caliber,  from  twenty-fours 
to  forty-twos ;  while  the  chain  of  the  flotilla  anchored 
across  the  entrance  amounted  to  two  hundred  and 
fifty  gunboats ;  each  of  these,  which  were  of  the 
largest  class,  carried  six  guns,— three  twenty-four 
pounders,  with  two  bow  and  one  stern  chaser.  The 
small  craft  and  flat-bottomed  praams  intended  for 
landing  the  troops  which  crowded  both  harbours  ex- 
ceeded seventeen  hundred.  These  were  further  se- 
cured by  an  immense  iron  chain  drawn  across  the 
entrance,  and  locked  to  the  forts,  which  were  two 
on  each  side.  Two  hundred  thousand  of  the  bravest 
soldiers  in  the  world  waited  but  the  word  to  man 
this  armament,  and  be  under  way  for  the  shores 
of  Britain  in  six  hours !  Such  was  the  evidence  noSv 
presented  to  Josephine  of  the  power  of  him  with 
whom  her  destinies  were  united;  and  never,  per- 
haps, did  it  appear  in  a  more  imposing  attitude; 
certainly,  at  no  subsequent  period  was  that  power 
more  real,  for  now  it  carried  with  it  the  wills  and  the 
wishes  of  Frenchmen.  As  a  proof  of  this,  the  fol- 
lowing, which  Josephine  witnessed,  not  without 
tears,  may  be  mentioned  among  a  thousand  instances 
of  a  similar  character.  At  the  Pont  de  Brigues,  a 
village  about  two  miles  from  Boulogne,  a  deputation 
waited  upon  the  consul,  one  of  whom  read  from  a 
paper  this  address : — •"  General,  we  are  here,  twenty 
fathers  of  families,  who  present  to  you  twenty  gal- 
lant youths,  to  be  now  and  always  under  your  or- 
ders. Accept  of  them,  general ;  they  are  able  to  do 
good  service  when  you  reach  England.  As  for  our- 
selves, we  have  another  duty  to  discharge;  our 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  233 

hands  shall  labour  the  soil,  that  bread  may  not  be 
wanting  to  the  brave  men  destined  to  crush  Eng- 
land." None  of  all  the  various  expeditions  proposed 
or  undertaken  by  Bonaparte  excited  so  much  of 
popular  cordiality  as  this  design  of  invasion.  When 
we  consider,  too,  the  spirit  of  aggression  and  the  en- 
thusiastic resolution  of  defence  which  animated  the 
respective  nations,  the  view  of  the  probable  conse- 
quences awakens  appalling  thoughts  of  what  misery 
might  have  been  wrought  by  the  ambition  of  one 
man.  In  a  country  where  each  family  hearth  sent 
forth  its  combatants  with  but  one  heartfelt  alterna- 
tive of  victory  or  death,  two  hundred  thousand — a 
million  of  invaders  must  have  melted  away;  yet 
they  were  brave,  and  their  fall  would  not  have  been 
unrevenged.  Eager,  however,  as  they  were  to  meet 
Britons  on  British  ground,  the  French  never  would 
have  reached  our  shores.  While  gazing  only  on  the 
gigantic  preparations  around,  Josephine,  like  others, 
might  have  regarded  her  husband  as  master  of  both 
elements ;  but  beyond  the  horizon,  or  hovering  on 
its  verge,  might  be  descried  the  hostile  fleet,  of  such 
force  that  it  watched  a  certain  prey.  We  revert  to 
these  things  because  of  late  it  has  been  denied,  on 
Bonaparte's  own  authority,  that  he  ever  entertained 
serious  thoughts  of  invading  Britain.  In  reply  to 
this,  it  can  only  be  said,  that  the  commanders  of  the 
armament  most  in  his  confidence  firmly  believed  in 
the  reality  of  the  project;  that  no  one  at  the  time 
ever  heard  its  seriousness  doubted ;  and  that  he  re- 
linquished the  ostensible  design  not  until  its  imprac- 
ticability seemed  manifest,  and  when  circumstances 
permitted  him  adroitly,  it  must  be  confessed,  to 
transfer  these  mighty  means  to  another  end. 
;  Where  so  many  "  gay  gallants"  were  assembled, 
with  little  to  do,  amusement  of  some  kind  became 
indispensable.  Reviews,  love,  gaming,  duels,  at- 
j  tacks  on  the  flotilla,  false  alarms,  &c.  have  conse- 
quently left  many  anecdotes  on  record  singularly 
U2 


234  MEMOIRS    OF 

characteristic  of  the  French  soldiery.  The  almost 
daily  reviews,  as  is  well  known,  had  two  objects  in 
view :  to  improve  the  skill  of  the  army,  and  increase 
attachment  to  the  person  of  its  leader.  One  day, 
Bonaparte,  having  particularly  remarked  the  excel- 
lent order  of  two  regiments  of  the  line  and  one  of 
light  infantry,  called  the  officers  in  front,  from  the 
colonel  to  the  corporal,  and  expressed  in  very  flat- 
tering terms  his  satisfaction  with  the  appearance  of 
the  men.  This  distinction  excited  no  jealousy,  for 
all  had  received  or  expected  commendation  ;  but  in 
the  evening,  a  number  of  the  soldiers  of  the  favoured 
regiments,  the  36th,  57th,  and  10th,  assembled  at  a 
public-house  a  little  way  out  of  Boulogne,  which  was 
also  a  favourite  resort  of  the  grenadiers  of  the  guard. 
At  first  every  thing  went  on  in  an  amicable  way, 
until  certain  couplets,  composed  on  the  events  of 
the  morning,  happened  to  be  recited  by  some  of  the 
inhabitants  who  had  mixed  with  the  military.  The 
grenadiers  for  a  time  maintained  an  ominous  silence, 
but  finally  protested  against  such  verses  being  sung 
in  their  presence.  The  line  interposed  in  their  turn ; 
a  quarrel  arose,  first  of  words,  afterward  some  blows 
were  exchanged.  On  this  they  instantly  separated, 
each  quietly  passing  a  challenge  to  his  nearest  oppo- 
nent. At  four  o'clock  next  morning  above  two  hun- 
dred grenadiers  of  the  guard  separately  stole  out  to 
the  place  of  meeting,  where  had  assembled  in  like 
manner  an  equal  number  of  the  three  regiments. 
To  it  they  went,  sword  in  hand,  without  a  word  of 
explanation,  and  for  more  than  an  hour  continued 
the  combat  with  fearful  obstinacy.  They  would 
probably  have  been  massacred  to  a  man  had  not 
General  St.  Hilaire,  obtaining  late  information  of  this 
sanguinary  quarrel,  galloped  to  the  spot  with  a  regi- 
ment of  cavalry.  In  the  conflict  the  guards  lost  ten, 
and  the  line  thirteen  men ;  but  the  wounded  on  botli 
sides  were  much  more  numerous.  On  the  morrow, 
the  First  Consul  assembled  the  regiments  who  had 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  235 

provoked  the  quarrel,  and  addressed  them : — "  Many 
brave  men  have  fallen  in  a  contest  unworthy  of  them 
and  of  you.  You  shall  be  punished.  I  have  ordered 
the  couplets  to  be  printed,  that  the  army  may  know 
how  you  have  detracted  from  the  merit  of  your  com- 
panions in  arms." 

The  following  incident  also  belongs  to  the  present 
portion  of  our  narrative,  and  presents  Bonaparte  in 
a  very  pleasing  light.  Among  the  belles  who,  from 
,all  Picardy,  the  surrounding  provinces,  the  Nether- 
lands even,  and  Paris,  had  resorted  to  Boulogne  as 
an  agreeable  watering-place,  was  a  beautiful  intri- 
guante from  Dunkirk.  The  whole  staff  of  the  army 
of  invasion  seemed  to  have  made  it  a  point  of  honour 
to  gain  the  good  graces  of  the  "  fair  Netherlander." 
But  of  all  those  who  thus  offered  their  hourly  hom- 
age, greatly  to  the  annoyance  of  the  worthy  car- 
penter in  whose  house,  up  one  pair  of  stairs,  Rue  des 
Minims,  the  lady  held  her  court,  Colonel  Joseph  and 
General-in-chief  SouhVwere  the  favoured  swains. 
Such  a  rivalship,  of  course,  did  no  injury  to  the  in- 
terests, while  it  went  far  to  salve  the  reputation  of 

Madame  F -,  for  she  managed  to  retain  both  as 

danglers.  The  First  Consul,  having  got  notice  of 
the  lady's  soirees  held  as  aforesaid,  and  desirous, 
perhaps,  of  witnessing  which  of  all.  his  officers  was 
the  best  carpet  knight,  took  a  fancy  one  evening  to 
present  himself  in  the  petit  salon  of  their  fair  enslaver. 
But  lest  he  might  be  discovered,  which,  for  many 
reasons,  was  a  consummation  of  his  frolic  desirable 
to  be  avoided,  he  disguised  himself  in  coloured 
clothes,  and,  putting  on  a  wig  and  spectacles,  was 
introduced  along  with  General  Bertrand,  already  in 
high  favour,  and  similarly  disguised,  as  commissary 
of  provisions.  He  found  the  lady,  as  she  had  been 
represented,  young,  beautiful,  and  accomplished,  ca- 
pable of  turning  the  heads  of  half  his  army.  The 
company  was  numerous,  the  play  deep,  and  the  eyes 
of  the  guests  so  riveted  on  the  gold  which  loaded 


236  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  tables,  or  fixed  on  her  who  presided  with  so  much 
eclat,  that  the  First  Consul,  unremarked,  having 
completed  his  observations,  was  about  to  re  tire,  when 

Madame  F ,  perceiving  his  movement  towards 

the  door,  and  desirous  that  her  company  should  not 
diminish  so  early,  interposed  against  the  exit  of  the 
pretended  commissaries.  On  her  invitation,  the 
players  deserted  the  tables,  and,  ranging  themselves 
in  a  circle,  a  game  at  forfeits  was  proposed.  When 
it  came  to  Bonaparte's  turn  to  give  a  pledge,  he 
found  he  had  absolutely  nothing  about  him  save  a 
piece  of  paper,  folded  up,  on  which  the  names  of  cer- 
tain colonels  intended  for  service  on  the  morrow 
were  inscribed.  This,  after  a  good  deal  of  fumbling 
for  something  else,  he  was  constrained  to  resign, 
requesting  it  might  not  be  opened.  The  pledges 
being  collected  and  the  penalties  imposed,  the  task 
assigned  to  the  great  captain  was  to  stand  door- 
keeper, while  Colonel  Joseph  and  the  lady  should 
make  the  voyage  to  Cytherea  in  an  adjoining  apart- 
ment. The  commissary  consul,  putting  the  best  face 
upon  the  matter,  performed  his  part  with  a  good 
grace,  and,  having  thus  recovered  his  pledge,  took 
his  departure.  A  few  minutes  after,  a  billet  was 

handed  to  Madame  F ,  couched  in  the  following 

terms : — 

"MADAM, — Accept  my  thanks  for  the  agreeable 
reception  with  which  you  favoured  me.  If  you  come 
some  day  to  my  barrack  I  will  play  the  porter  once 
again,  should  it  seem  good  unto  you ;  but  on  that 
occasion  I  shall  not  resign  to  others  the  duty  of 
accompanying  you  in  a  voyage  to  Cytherea. 

"  BONAPARTE." 

The  beautiful  voyager  perused  the  note  in  silence; 
and  the  party  breaking  up  soon  afterward,  left  her 
in  solitude  to  reflect  on  the  visit  she  had  received. 

The  First  Consul  and  Madame  Bonaparte,  having 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  237 

left  Boulogne,  returned  to  Paris  by  way  of  Flanders 
and  the  Netherlands.  In  traversing  Picardy,  they 
were  to  pass  twenty- four  hours  in  Abbeville,  where 
magnificent  preparations  had  been  made  for  their 
reception.  The  streets  in  many  places  were  spread 
with  carpets,  and  the  upper  ranks  of  the  inhabitants 
brought  from  their  gardens  and  hothouses  the  rarest 
plants,  to  range  them  along  the  path.  But  just  as 
the  expected  guests  approached  the  city,  a  courier  at 
full  speed  was  seen  to  meet  them ;  a  consultation 
was  apparently  held,  when  those  who  had  anxiously 
made  all  these  voluntary  preparations  beheld  the 
First  Consul  get  on  horseback,  place  Josephine's 
carriage  in  the  centre  of  a  small  escort  of  lancers, 
and  in  this  guise  traverse  the  streets,  with  all  their 
decorations,  at  a  gallop.  The  courier  had  been  ex- 
pedited from  the  minister  of  police  with  information 
of  a  plot  to  assassinate  Bonaparte  next  day  on  leav- 
ing Abbeville,  at  a  solitary  place  about  six  miles  be- 
yond the  town.  On  this  very  spot  he  now  halted 
with  his  slender  cavalcade  for  about  half  an  hour ; 
and,  after  eating  some  of  the  famed  Abbeville  bis- 
cuits, continued  his  route.  Everywhere  in  the  prin- 
cipal towns,  as  Amiens,  Dunkirk,  Lille,  Bruges, 
Gand,  Brussels,  Liege,  Naumur,  Antwerp,  &c.,  they 
were  received  with  almost  regal  honours ;  the  keys 
were  presented  to  the  First  Consul  as  to  the  ancient 
sovereigns;  and  while  he  gave  directions  for  im- 
provements, canals,  roads,  bridges,  Josephine  left  a 
remembrance  behind  of  less  ostentatious,  but,  for 
her,  more  suitable  and  hardly  less  useful  benevo- 
lence. 

Soon  after  returning  to  St.  Cloud,  a  very  serious 
accident  happened  to  the  First  Consul,  which  also 
placed  Josephine  in  considerable  danger.  The  in- 
habitants of  Antwerp,  during  the  late  progress,  had 
presented  six  magnificent  bays ;  with  four  of  these 
harnessed  to  the  carriage,  Bonaparte,  with  his  wife 
and  Cambacer6s,  were  taking  an  airing  in  the  park, 


238  MEMOIRS    OF 

when,  conceiving  a  fancy  to  drive  four-in-hand,  he 
mounted  the  coachbox,  and  Caesar,  his  favourite 
coachman,  took  station  behind.  This  same  appella- 
tion of  Caesar,  by-the-way,  was  a  nickname ;  the  man 
had  followed  Bonaparte  into  Egypt,  and,  in  a  skir- 
mish with  the  Arabs,  killed  a  Bedouin  with  his  own 
hand.  "  See,"  cried  the  general,  "  what  a  devil  of  a 
fellow  is  coachee ! — he  is  a  Caesar !"  The  cogno- 
men took,  to  the  supplanting  of  the  real  name,  which 
was  Germain.  Further,  it  seems  that  this  respect- 
able person  has  hitherto  been  much  belied  in  the 
accounts  of  the  infernal  machine;  for  a  reputable 
eyewitness  declares  that  he  saw  Caesar  five  minutes 
afterward,  and  that,  so  far  from  being  drunk,  he  was 
quite  recent;  neither  did  he  take  the  explosion  for  a 
salute  of  artillery ;  but  being  two  minutes  too  late, 
he  would  have  made  a  point  of  honour  of  driving 
across  the  fiery  gulf  had  it  lain  in  his  way.  To  re- 
turn: Bonaparte  having  thus  taken  the  reins,  the 
horses  soon  discovered  that  Caesar's  hand  no  longer 
guided  them,  and  set  off  at  a  gallop.  In  the  writings 
from  St.  Helena,  wherein  Bonaparte  has  shown  so 
earnest  a  solicitude  to  appear  great  even  in  small 
things,  it  is  said,  "that  the  aid-de-camp,  having 
awkwardly  crossed  their  heads,  frightened  the  horses 
and  made  them  run  off."  This  was  not  the  case ;  at 
least,  others  present  saw  no  aid-de-camp,  nor,  in- 
deed, was  any  other  cause  required  to  produce  the 
catastrophe  save  the  inexperience  of  the  First  Consul 
as  a  driver  of  cattle,  whatever  might  be  his  practice 
as  to  men.  The  horses,  soon  becoming  quite  un- 
governable, rushed  along  the  road  leading  to  Breteuil, 
Caesar  from  behind  calling  out  "  to  keep  in  the  mid- 
dle ;"  Cambaceres,  still  paler,  if  possible,  than  his 
usual  cadaverous  hue,  crying  out  from  the  interior, 
"  Stop !  stop !"  and  Madame  Bonaparte  sitting  in  si- 
lent resignation.  The  First  Consul  neither  heard 
nor  saw ;  for,  on  approaching  the  extremities  of  the 
avenue,  though  the  coachman  continued  to  cry  "  To 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  239 

the  left !  to  the  left !"  he  could  not  take  the  gateway, 
but,  running  against  one  of  the  pillars,  overset  the 
coach  with  a  terrible  crash.  Fortunately,  the  horses 
stopped.  Madame  Bonaparte  and  the  second  consul 
escaped  with  some  slight  bruises  and  a  great  fright 
Bonaparte  himself  had  been  pitched  to  a  distance  of 
eight  or  ten  paces,  and,  falling  on  his  face,  was  taken 
up  insensible.  He  quickly  recovered,  however,  and, 
though  severely  bruised,  would  not  be  bled,  nor  re- 
sort to  any  other  save  his  favourite  remedy  of  fric- 
tions with  eau  de  Cologne.  Josephine  of  the  whole 
party  suffered  most  from  anxiety  on  her  husband's 
account ;  but  on  retiring  at  night,  both  amused  them- 
selves with  talking  over  the  misadventure  of  the 
morning.  "  Mpn  ami,"  said  Josephine,  laughing, 
"you  must  render  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  be 
Caesar's — let  him  keep  his  whip — each  to  his  voca- 
tion." Bonaparte  continued  the  conversation  for 
some  time  in  the  same  tone  of  pleasantry ;  but,  grad- 
ually lapsing  into  seriousness,  spoke  of  his  never 
having  thought  himself  so  near  death,  and  that  he 
believed  he  had  been  dead  for  some  seconds ;  then 
crossing  his  arms,  and  musing  for  about  a  minute, 
as  if  half  soliloquizing,  half  addressing  Josephine, 
he  abruptly  exclaimed, — "  But  what  is  death  I  It  is 
merely  a  sleep  without  dreams !" 

The  winter  of  1803-4  passed  away  without  much 
of  domestic  interest  in  the  life  of  Josephine.  The 
marriage  of  the  Prince  Borghese  to  Pauline,  the 
widow  of  General  Le  Clerc,  the  most  dissipated, 
but  the  best-hearted  and  the  favourite  sister  of  Bo- 
naparte, formed  an  incident  in  the  early  part  of  the 
season ;  but  we  hasten  to  the  events  which  marked 
the  spring  of  1804.  Hitherto  Napoleon  had  displayed 
an  insatiable  ambition  indeed ;  but  he  was  personally 
unstained  by  crime,  and  regarded  by  the  vast  major- 
ity of  the  French  people  with  gratitude  and  admira- 
tion. Among  foreign  powers  he  might  be  feared—- 
perhaps hated — but  he  had  caused  his  person  and  his 


240  MEMOIRS    OF 

government  to  be  respected.  The  death  of  the  Duke 
d'Enghien,  with  the  complication  of  plots,  execu- 
tions, and  banishments  connected  with  that  melan- 
choly history,  presented  him  to  Europe  and  to  France 
as  a  gloomy  and  ferocious  tyrant,  a  cold-blooded 
murderer.  Such  was  then  the  opinion  of  contem- 
poraries, and  such  must  still  be  the  impression  left 
upon  the  minds  of  posterity,  whatever  share  the  ad- 
vice or  officious  zeal  of  minor  agents  might  have 
had  in  urging  the  catastrophe.  Into  these  transac- 
tions it  is,  of  course,  intended  to  enter  no  farther 
than  concerns  the  present  subject ;  and  it  is  no  more 
than  candour  to  admit  in  the  outset,  that  so  far  as 
can  be  judged  from  the  conversations  of  Josephine, 
even  in  her  most  unguarded  confidences,  she  at  least 
ever  retained  the  conviction  that  others  were  more 
criminal  than  her  husband. 

The  whole  tissue  of  events  is  spread  over  a  space 
of  nearly  four  months,  from  the  arrest  of  Pichegru, 
on  the  night  of  the  22-23d  of  February,  to  the  execu- 
tion of  Georges  and  his  accomplices  on  the  10th  of 
June.  But  so  far  as  concerns  Josephine,  the  time  is 
much  shorter  and  matters  less  complicated ;  we 
have  to  speak  only  of  her  exertions  to  save  those 
implicated  in  the  conspiracy  of  Pichegru  and  Ca- 
doudal,  and  principally  of  her  knowledge  of  the  facts 
connected  with  the  death  of  the  Duke  d'Enghien. 
For  the  best  and  only  authentic  recital  of  the  whole, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  the  Memoirs  of  M.  de  Bour- 
rienne.*  But  while  we  consult  his  narrative  for  the 
facts,  we  must  protest  against  one  of  his  general 
conclusions, — that  the  conspirators  were  not  deserv- 
ing of  death.  Granting,  as  he  has  shown,  that  these 
unhappy  men  were  first  deceived,  afterward  be- 
trayed, by  the  police  and  the  machinations  of  Fouche, 
still  they  were  clearly  convicted  of  having  entered 
into  a  base  conspiracy  to  take  away  life,  and,  there- 

*  See  author's  translation  of  the  work,  second  edition,  last  two  chap- 
ters of  vol.  ii. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  241 

fore,  by  every  human  law,  had  forfeited  theirs  to 
offended  justice. 

At  a  very  early  hour  in  the  morning  of  the  21st 
of  March,  Bonaparte  entered  his  wife's  bedroom,  and 
awoke  her  with  the  intelligence  that  the  Duke  d'En- 
ghien  had  arrived  a  prisoner  at  the  outer  barriers 
of  Paris.  Josephine  threw  herself  from  her  bed,  and 
on  her  knees  conjured  him  to  spare  the  life  of  the 
unfortunate  Bourbon.  "  We  have  gone  too  far  to 
retreat,"  he  replied,  in  a  tone  of  sadness,  at  the  same 
time  raising  her  by  the  hand, "but  we  shall  see ;"  and 
again  went  out.  It  is  well  known  that  the  duke  re- 
mained at  the  barrier  for  five  hours,  during  which 
space  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  secret  council 
was  held  which  determined  his  fate.  It  was  not  till 
six  o'clock  in  the  morning  that  the  cavalcade  re- 
ceived orders  to  move  round  the  walls,  and  to  take 
the  route  for  Vincennes,  where  the  duke  arrived  at 
nightfall. 

Bonaparte  at  St.  Helena  denies  having  spoken  to 
Josephine  on  the  subject  of  the  Duke  d'Enghien. 
Many  circumstances,  however,  prove  this  to  have 
been  a  false  assertion;  and  the  above  is  the  sub- 
stance of  what  Josephine  herself  stated  in  the  month 
of  July  following  at  Saverne,  in  Lorraine. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fatal  21st,  Napoleon's  fa- 
vourite attendant  entered  his  bedroom  as  usual  at 
seven  o'clock.  The  duke  had  been  shot  about  an 
hour  before  in  the  fosse  at  Vincennes.  The  First 
Consul  was  alone,  for  Josephine  and  he  had  now 
separate  apartments.  Contrary  to  custom,  he  was 
awake ;  his  head  hung  drooping  over  his  pillow,  his 
expression  was  gloomy,  and  his  look  harassed.  On 
seeing  Constant  he  sat  up,  and,  drawing  his  hand 
several  times  across  his  forehead,  complained  of 
pain.  Then  flinging  the  bedclothes  from  him  with 
violence,  he  added,  "  I  have  passed  a  bad,  a  very  bad 
night !"  He  seemed  completely  absorbed  in  his  own 
thoughts,  looking  so  sad  and  so  ill  as  to  excite  the 

JV 


242  MEMOIRS    OF 

surprise  and  even  compassion  of  his  affectionate 
attendants ;  for  by  this  time  the  faithful  Roustan,  his 
favourite  Mameluke,  had  as  usual  taken  a  station 
beside  the  toilet  table.  During  the  whole  time  of 
dressing,  Bonaparte  spoke  not  a  word, — a  sure  sign 
to  his  domestics,  with  whom  in  the  morning  he  was 
always  extremely  familiar,  that  something  had  hap- 
pened to  agitate  and  distress  their  master.  Just  as 
nis  toilet  was  completed,  and  while  Constant  was 
presenting  to  him  as  usual  his  snuff-box,  handker- 
chief, and  little  packet  of  lozenges,  the  door  opened, 
and  Josephine  appeared  in  dishabille  as  she  had  risen 
from  bed.  It  was  now  but  too  evident  that  some- 
thing fatal  had  happened;  nothing  that  was  not  fatal 
to  her  husband's  honour  or  peace  could  have  brought 
her  thus  into  his  presence,  with  visage  discomposed, 
and  covered  with  tears,  and  every  personal  care 
neglected.  She  entered,  or  rather  rushed,  into  the 
apartment,  crying,  "  The  Duke  d'Enghien  is  dead ! 
Oh !  my  friend,  what  hast  thou  done !"  and  threw 
herself,  sobbing,  on  his  bosom.  Napoleon  became 
pale  as  a  corpse,  pressed  her  in  his  arms,  and  ex- 
claimed, with  extraordinary  emotion,  "  The  wretches 
— they  have  been  too  hasty !"  He  hung  over  her  for 
a  moment,  then  left  the  apartment,  supporting  Jose- 
phine, who  was  incapable  of  walking  without  such 
assistance,  along  the  corridor  separating  their  bed- 
rooms, and  entered  with  her,  vainly  endeavouring  to 
bestow  that  consolation  of  which  at  the  moment,  it 
was  evident,  he  stood  in  need  himself. 

To  the  narrative  above  might  be  added  many 
melancholy  reminiscences  of  Josephine,  long  after 
she  had  become  the  repudiated  wife  of  him  whose 
culpability  she  showed  herself  so  desirous  of  ex- 
plaining away.  Here,  then,  there  could  hardly  be 
any  secret  lurking  of  self;  and  at  least  she  is  enti- 
tled to  command  the  belief  that  such  was  her  own 
opinion.  "  We  were  talking,"  says  Madame  Decrest, 
speaking  of  a  residence  at  Malmaison  in  1810,  "in 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  243 

presence  of  the  empress,  concerning  the  deplorable 
event  which  plunged  France  in  grief  and  tarnished 
the  glory  of  Napoleon.  We  formed  a  small  circle 
of  her  confidential  ladies,  and  she  spoke  without  dis- 
guise and  with  profound  sadness  of  her  own  inability 
to  prevent  the  catastrophe.  'The  emperor,'  con- 
tinued she, '  was  cruelly  counselled.  Of  himself  he 
never  would  have  conceived  the  idea  of  such  a  de- 
sign. Once  resolved,  no  power  on  earth  could  pre- 
vent its  execution,  so  firm  was  his  determination  in 
all  things,  and  so  great  the  dread  he  entertained  of 
being  taxed  with  irresolution.  But  I  am  persuaded 
that  often  has  he  lamented  over  a  too  prompt  obe- 
dience on  the  part  of  others.  There  are  facts  which 
I  dare  not  disclose,  lest  I  should  give  up  to  infamy 
the  real  authors  of  the  death  of  the  Duke  d'Enghien. 
History  will  speak,  and  the  truth  be  known.  Finally, 
General  Moreau  proved  the  innocent  cause  of  that 
fatal  resolution.  Napoleon  and  he  were  conversing 
about  the  Bourbons,  when  the  former  asked  if  there 
was  a  soldier  in  the  family  1 — "  Yes,"  replied  the  gen- 
eral, "  they  are  all  brave  !  The  Duke  d'Enghien  is 
besides  an  excellent  officer,  and  much  loved  by  the 
soldiery.  He  is  a  worthy  scion  of  the  house  of 
Conde." — "  Is  he  ambitious  ?" — "As  to  that  I  cannot 
answer ;  but  from  his  manner  of  fighting  he  appears 
to  aspire  to  a  glory  which  cannot  long  be  satisfied 
with  foreign  service." — This  eulogium,'  added  the 
empress,  *  disquieted  Napoleon,  and  several  times  he 
reverted  to  the  subject.  In  order  to  calm  these  ap- 
prehensions, a  crime  was  proposed  to  him.  Never 
can  I  cease  to  think  with  abhorrence  of  those  who 
urged  him  to  it.  They  have  proved  his  worst  enemies.1 " 
Many  other  such  avowals  of  Josephine's  might  be 
quoted,  but,  conceding  to  these  all  the  weight  to 
which  they  are  justly  entitled,  what  is  the  inference 
from  the  whole  \  Simply  that  Bonaparte  had  those 
around  him  who  were  ready,  at  any  expense  of 
crime,  to  second  effectually  his  darkest  resolves  and 


244  MEMOIRS    OF 

his  worst  passions.  Still,  this  lessens  not  the  crimi  - 
nality  of  him  who  must  have  framed  these  resolves 
into  actual  commands  before  even  the  readiest  agents 
would  have  dared  to  act. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  this,  the  bloodiest  of 
Napoleon's  acts,  affords  an  opportunity  of  recording 
the  general  character  for  gentleness  and  right  feeling 
which  Josephine  had  conciliated.  At  the  period  of 
his  arrest  the  duke  resided  in  Ettenheim,  chiefly  that 
he  might  enjoy  for  a  little  longer,  before  retiring  into 
the  Austrian  states,  the  society  of  a  young  lady  to 
whom  he  was  affectionately  attached.  On  the  fatal 
morning  of  his  execution,  during  the  brief  space  of 
a  few  minutes  allowed  for  hasty  preparation,  he 
made  up  a  little  packet,  containing  his  picture  and  a 
lock  of  his  hair,  which  he  consigned  to  Savary, — 
"  a  gentle  gift,  by  a  rude  messenger," — to  be  deliv- 
ered to  Josephine's  care,  that  he  might  thus  ensure 
their  safe  transmission  to  Ettenheim.  Strange  con- 
trast !  the  tenderest  of  pledges  intrusted  to  the  wife 
of  that  man  who  had  comnfanded  the  murder  of  the 
testator ! 

Meanwhile,  events  of  vast  magnitude  hurried  on- 
wards. However  Napoleon  might  feel  in  retirement, 
— and  it  is  but  justice  to  say  that  for  some  time  a 
cloud  seemed  to  have  come  over  his  thoughts, — he 
kept  in  his  apartments,  "  darkly,  sternly,  and  all 
alone,"  and  general  gloom  and  constraint  overshaded 
his  domestic  relations ;  abroad  he  was  himself.  The 
crown  of  France,  so  long  in  prospect,  might  now  no 
farther  mock  his  grasp.  March  and  April  passed  in 
bustle  and  intrigue ;  and  on  the  30th  of  the  latter 
month,  tjie  motion  for  restoring  the  throne  was  pro- 
posed and  carried  in  the  tribunate,  and  soon  after 
ratified  by  a  complaisant  senate. 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  245 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Josephine  Empress— Her  Letter  to  Napoleon— Formation  of  the  Imperial 
Court — Letters  by  Josephine— Conspirators — Exertions  of  the  Em- 
press for  their  Pardon — Anecdotes  of  the  Polignacs — De  Riviere — 
Affecting  Scene — Anecdotes  of  Moreau  and  Napoleon — First  public 
Appearance  as  Empress — Legion  of  Honour — Grandeur  and  Mean- 
ness—Napoleon and  Alexander  the  Great— Tour  to  Mayence — Jose- 
phine's Mode  of  Travelling — Anecdotes — Napoleon  rejoins  the  Em- 
press— Espionage — Continuation  of  the  Journey — Breakfast — The 
Dinner — Method  of  examining  Magistrates — Evening's  Tales — Return 
to  Paris— Letter  from  Josephine  to  Pius  VII.— Religious  Marriage  of 
Josephine— Ceremonial  of  the  Coronation — Dresses,  Anecdotes,  &c.— 
Napoleon's  Visit  to  Brienne — Coronation  at  Milan— Josephine  Regent 
,  — Letter  to  Cambaceres— Austerlitz  announced — Marriage  of  Eugene 
— Description  of  the  Manners,  Life,  Occupations,  and  Amusements 
of  Josephine  as  Empress,  with  Anecdotes  of  her  Character — Letters 
— Anecdotes  of  Napoleon  and  of  the  Imperial  Household,  with  other 
Illustrations  of  this  Subject. 

ON  the  18th  of  May,  1804,  Josephine  became  Em- 
press of  France.  Thus  the  destiny  was  fulfilled  in 
the  prediction  of  which  she  had  professed  so  long 
to  believe,  yet  trembled  at  the  thought  of  its  accom- 
plishment. On  that  day  the  senate,  in  solemn  depu- 
tation, headed  by  Cambaceres,  waited  upon  the 
consul  at  St.  Cloud,  who  was  thus  first  saluted  sire 
by  his  ancient  colleague.  The  deputation  afterward 
proceeded  to  the  apartments  of  Josephine,  who  re- 
ceived their  congratulations,  not  without  deep  emo- 
tion, but  with  her  accustomed  benignity  and  grace. 
The  assemblage  was  of  course  most  brilliant.  Cam- 
baceres assumed  more  than  his  usual  gravity  of 
manner,  and  the  first  ceremonial  passed  with  the 
requisite  decorum.  When,  however,  in  the  less 
stately  intercourse  that  followed,  the  ex-second 
consul,  always  solemn  and  dignified,  addressed  cer- 
tain  unimportant  remarks  to  Hortense,  introduced 
with  the  perfectly  appropriate,  but  somewhat  novel 
; phrase,  "  Your  august  mother,"  some  strange  asso- 


246  MEMOIRS    OF 

ciatipn  flitting  athwart  her  fancy,  she  found  it  im- 
possible to  restrain  the  impulse  ;  but  looking  archly 
on  the  speaker,  gave  way  very  audibly  to  her  risible 
propensities.  The  composure  of  Cambaceres,  though 
sustaining  a  rude  shock,  remained  proof  against  this 
assault  on  his  dignity ;  and  the  first  hour  of  the  em- 
pire went  by  without  any  very  overt  act  against  the 
solemn  laws  of  etiquette. 

The  remainder  of  this  eventful  day  was  occupied 
in  presentations,  receptions,  and  congratulations. 
At  court,  all  indicated  the  greatest  joy  and  satisfac- 
tion; but  in  the  midst  of  this  general  rejoicing  (and 
she,  at  least,  witnessed  nothing  else),  Josephine  had 
contemplated  its  cause  with  fear  and  trembling.  The 
following  letter,  addressed  to  her  husband  during 
one  of  his  frequent  visits  to  Boulogne,  exhibits  an 
interesting  exposition  of  her  sentiments  when  so 
near  the  elevation  which  she  deprecated : — 

"  MY  FRIEND, — For  the  tenth  time,  perhaps,  have 
I  perused  your  letter,  and  must  confess  that  the 
amazement  into  which  it  threw  me  subsides  only  to 
give  place  to  sorrow  and  apprehension.  You  per- 
sist, then,  in  the  resolution  to  re-establish  the  throne 
of  France,  and  yet  not  to  restore  those  who  were 
deposed  by  the  Revolution,  but  to  seat  yourself 
thereon  1  What  power,  you  ask — what  grandeur — 
and,  above  all,  what  advantage  in  this  design !  And 
for  my  part,  I  venture  to  reply,  What  obstacles  pre- 
sent themselves  to  its  success !  how  great  the  sacri- 
fices which  rrrast  be  made  before  its  accomplishment 
can  be  secured !  how  far  beyond  calculation  the  con- 
sequences should  it  be  realized !  But  let  us  admit 
that  your  purpose  does  succeed,  will  your  views  ter- 
minate with  the  founding  of  a  new  empire  ?  Will 
not  your  power,  opposed,  as  to  a  certainty  it  must 
be,  by  the  neighbouring  states,  draw  you  into  a  war 
with  them  1  This  will  probably  end  in  their  ruin. 
Will  not  their  neighbours,  beholding  these  effects, 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  247 

combine  in  turn  for  your  destruction?  While  abroad 
such  is  the  state  of  things,  at  home  how  numerous 
the  envious  and  discontented ! — how  many  plots  to 
disconcert,  and  conspiracies  to  punish !  Kings  will 
despise  you  as  an  upstart,  the  people  will  hate  you 
as  a  usurper,  your  equals  as  a  tyrant ;  none  will  com- 
prehend the  utility  of  your  elevation ;  all  will  assign 
it  to  ambition  or  to  pride.  Doubtless,  there  will  not 
be  wanting  slaves  who  will  cringe  to  your  power, 
until,  backed  by  another  which  they  esteem  a  more 
formidable  influence,  they  will  seek  to  elevate  them- 
selves on  your  ruin.  Fortunate,  also,  beyond  hope, 
if  steel — if  poison ! — a  wife,  a  friend,  dare  not  give 
pause  to  alarmed  imagination  on  images  so  dreadful. 
This  brings  me  to  myself,  a  subject  about  which  my 
concern  would  be  small  indeed  if  I  only  were  inter- 
ested. But,  with  the  throne,  will  there  not  likewise 
arise  the  desire  of  new  alliances  ?  Will  you  not 
consider  it  necessary,  by  new  family  ties,  to  provide 
for  the  more  effectual  security  of  that  throne  ?  Oh ! 
whatever  such  connexions  might  be,  could  they  prove 
like  those-  formed  at  first  in  propriety,  and  which 
affections  the  most  tender  have  since  consecrated ! 
I  stop  at  this  perspective,  which  fear — must  1  say 
love  ? — traces  in  an  appalling  futurity.  You  have 
alarmed  me  by  your  ambitious  flight ;  restore  my 
confidence  by  your  return  to  moderation." 

How  nearly  these  observations  resembled  predic 
tions  no  reader  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the 
times  need  be  reminded.  Josephine's  presentiment 
of  misfortune  in  the  undertakings  of  Napoleon  often 
excited  astonishment  when  men  afterward  reflected 
how  closely  her  opinions  anticipated  results.  Bour- 
rienne,  for  instance,  hesitates  whether  to  ascribe  this 
prescience  of  evil,  if  not  to  a  supernatural,  at  least 
to  a  peculiar  faculty.  But  if  hers  were  prophetic 
powers,  they  had  been  destined,  like  Cassandra's, 
never  to  be  believed ;  and  a  woman's  will  in  the  path 


248  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  Napoleon's  ambition  was  but  as  the  lightest  down 
in  the  torrent's  course.  The  above  letter,  however, 
contains  nothing  which  might  not  have  been  fore- 
seen from  a  calm  consideration  of  events.  Jose- 
phine's presentiment  could,  in  fact,  be  nothing  more 
than  the  perspicacity  of  an  excellent  judgment  sharp- 
ened by  heartfelt  interest  honestly  expressed.  The 
concluding  portion  of  the  letter  expressed,  indeed, 
her  apprehensions  on  occurrences  actually,  though 
secretly,  passing.  We  have  already  said  that  divorce 
was  often  hinted  to  Napoleon  by  those  who  were  no 
friends  to  Josephine ;  and  during  the  period  imme- 
diately preceding  the  empire,  endeavours  were  mak- 
ing, Talleyrand  being  very  active  therein,  to  bring 
about  a  union  with  the  Princess  Wilhelmina  of  Ba- 
den, whom  the  officious  minister  represented  as  the 
most  charming  princess  in  Europe.  But  of  these 
courtly  intrigues,  as  they  came  to  nothing,  very  little 
is  known ;  Napoleon's  attachment  to  Josephine  with- 
stood all  such  suggestions,  and  perhaps  she  herself 
was  right  in  stating,  "  that  unless  urged  by  others, 
he  would  not  of  himself  have  thought  of  a  sepa- 
ration." 

It  is  not  surprising,  then,  that  Josephine  should 
have  contemplated  with  a  degree  of  terror  her  ele- 
vation to  the  throne  of  France,  or  that  she  should 
have  passed  a  portion  of  the  succeeding  night  in 
tears,  But  hers  was  a  mind  rather  of  lively  than 
of  permanent  susceptibilities:  impressions  were 
readily  made,  and  as  quickly  effaced ;  while  she  pos- 
sessed the  true  secret  of  happiness — the  art  of  post- 
poning the  imaginary  or  apprehended  evil,  and  of 
enjoying  the  real  good  of  every  situation.  It  is  cu- 
jious,  however,  to  remark  the  contrast  between  indi- 
viduals so  similarly  situated.  Napoleon  retired  to 
rest  at  an  early  hour  of  the  morning,  haying  been 
.engaged  with  his  ministers  in  preparations  for  -the 
19th,  confident  and  satisfied.  His  favourite  domestic, 
usua}  hour,  found  the  new  emperor 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  249 

awake,  and  happy,  though  serious.  "  What's  o'clock 
— how  is  the  weather  1"  the  first  words  always ; — 
Constant  replied,  "  Sire,  seven  o'clock — fine  morn- 
ing;" and,  having  approached  the  bed,  Napoleon 
pulled  him  by  the  ear,  and  called  him  Monsieur  le 
drdle — certain  signs  of  the  best  humour.  In  this 
joyous  mood  he  held  the  first  grand  imperial  levee, 
in  which,  with  the  exception  of  Lucien,  incomes  and 
dignities,  as  all  the  world  knows,  were  showered 
down  upon  the  members  of  the  imperial  family  and 
its  most  distinguished  adherents.  All  Paris  was 
amused — for  from  what  -will  not  Parisians  extract 
amusement — at  the  stories,  true  or  false,  which  cir- 
culated, of  the  tears  shed  by  the  sisters,  till,  by  their 
lamentations,  they  had  actually  teased  their  imperial 
brother  into  the  act  of  creating  them  princesses. — 
Josephine  also,  though,  as  she  afterward  ventured  to 
tell  Napoleon  himself,  she  did  not  cry  to  that  end, 
had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  her  son  named  prince, 
"  without  fear  of  his  sentiments  falling  beneath  his 
rank,  however  elevated."  At  the  same  time,  eighteen 
of  the  most  renowned  commanders  of  republican 
France  were  made  marshals  of  the  empire,  with 
precedence  of  all  subsequent  creations.* 

It  had  been  well  for  Bonaparte,  perhaps  for  France, 
had  he  contented  himself  with  thus  attaching  to  his 
government  those  who  owed  their  elevation  to  the 
same  circumstances  out  of  which  it  had  risen ;  at 
least,  had  he  not,  through  a  .weak  prejudice  rather 
than  policy,  sought  to  surround  himself  with  the  cast- 
off  trappings  of  a  system  that  could  never  coalesce 
with  his  own.  Like  all  those  who,  rather  through 
the  peculiarity  of  the  times  than  their  own  nobility 
of  nature,  have  risen  from  an  inferior  station,  Napo- 
leon attached  an  undue  importance  to  hereditary 
rank  and  ancient  title.  Hence,  in  the  formation  of 


*  For  lives  of  the  most  celebrated  of  these  soldiers,  see  "  The  Court 
and  Camp  of  Bonaparte." — Harper's  Family  Library. 


250  MEMOIRS    OF 

his  new  court,  the  anxiety  displayed  that  its  offices 
might  be  held  by  the  noblesse  of  the  old.  "  The 
Fauxbourg  St.  Germain  was  one  of  Napoleon's  bug- 
bears." 

But  there  are  distinctions  to  be  made  on  both  sides, 
for  on  both  sides  there  was  meanness.  As  respects 
our  present  subject,  there  existed  among  the  emi- 
grant noblesse  two  parties,  which  have  not  always 
been  kept  sufficiently  distinct.  One,  the  smaller  of 
the  two,  from  having  occupied  stations  near  the  per- 
son of  the  king,  or  from  attachment  to  his  exiled 
successor,  sought  to  decline  all  employment  under 
the  empire.  But  over  these  members  of  the  ancient 
aristocracy  Napoleon  held  strong  influence,  espe- 
cially as  the  laws  of  conscription  placed  their  chil- 
dren, from  boyhood,  in  his  power.  Accordingly,  when 
an  old  family,  in  this  situation,  proved  refractory, 
he  sent  brevets  of  sub-lieutenants  to  the  sons.  Even 
here,  however,  his  predilection  in  favour  of  the 
privileged  class  was  apparent,  and  produced  no  little 
disgust  and  some  ridicule  in  the  army.  From  the 
young  nobility  were  chiefly  taken  the  aids-de-camp 
of  the  emperor.  These,  by  their  affected  manners, 
and  from  intercepting  favours,  promotions,  and  dis- 
tinctions better  deserved  by  others,  obtained  the 
sobriquet  of  Les geais  de  Parmee, — Tije  jackdaws  of 
the  army.  Incessantly  occupied  with  their  own 
dear  persons,  they  appeared,  in  the  midst  of  the 
bronzed  and  weather-beaten  battalions,  dressed  as 
if  for  some  carpet  campaign  in  the  Fauxbourg  St. 
Germain.  One  of  these  hopeful  youths  happened 
to  be  turned  on  his  back  by  a  chance  bullet, — for, 
being  generally  with  the  emperor,  they  were  but 
little  exposed  to  direct  fire  ;  on  his  splendid  red  mo- 
rocco cartouch-box  being  examined,  it  was  found  to 
be  a  most  complete  dressing-box,  the  pot  of  rouge 
even  not  omitted !  Yet  these  men  did  not  want  cou- 
rage, as  the  world  understands  the  word — they 
would  have  called  out  their  dearest  friend  for  a  look ; 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  251 

and  if  any  consideration  were  wanting  to  throw  de- 
testation and  contempt  upon  duelling,  it  would  be 
the  fact  that,  while  the  practice  was  almost  unknown 
among  the  brave  officers  of  the  French  army,  duels 
were  common  among  these  "minions  of  favour, 
who  had  often  no  other  title  to  the  grade  which  they 
held  than  the  merit  of  having  emigrated." 

The  other  more  numerous  class  of  the  emigration, 
who,  at  the  commencement  of  the  empire,  rendered 
themselves  especial  favourites  with  the  parvenu  em- 
peror, consisted  of  those  nobles  who  solicited  offices 
at  the  new  court.  Nothing  could  be  more  con- 
temptible than  the  conduct  of  those  personages  who 
in  public  worshipped  the  emperor  and  empress,  while 
in  their  own  coteries  it  was  Bonaparte  and  Madame 
Bonaparte  I  With  surpassing  meanness  they  la- 
boured most  assiduously  to  conceal  their  manceu- 
vrings  even  from  themselves ;  and,  while  exerting 
every  possible  means  of  solicitation,  each  professed 
to  the  rest  of  the  fraternity  to  bewail  the  hard  fate 
of  being  urged,  and,  probably,  obliged  to  accept  office 
under  the  usurper.  We  have  even  some  precious 
writings  to  the  same  effect  by  these  people.  All 
this,  of  course,  could  not  fail  of  creating  some 
amusing  predicaments,  of  which  the  following  may 
serve  as  examples : — Madame  de  la  Rochefoucault, 
who  was  dame  d'honneur,  had  one  day,  soon  after 
the  18th,  made  a  visit  to  her  old  friends  in  the  Faux- 
bourg,  who  pretended  to  receive  her  as  a  renegade, 
though  burning  with  envy  at  her  elevation.  Among 
others,  the  empress's  lady  of  honour  had  called  upon 
the  Dutchess  de  Balby.  The  latter,  enchanted  with 
the  opportunity  of  a  covert  attack,  began  thus : — 
"  Madame  de  Bouilley  has  just  left  me ;  I  am  sorry 
you  did  not  arrive  a  few  minutes  sooner,  for  I  was 
taking  her  to  task  on  the  report  of  her  being  one  of 
the  dames  de  palais  elect ;  she,  however,  cleared 
herself  of  the  intention  of  accepting  office  from 
Madame  Bonaparte*  in  a  manner  which  convinces 


252  MEMOIRS   OF 

me  that  the  whole  must  be  false." — "  I  cannot  un- 
derstand," replied  Madame  de  la  Rochefoucault,  "the 
necessity  of  the  Countess  de  Bouilley's  defence,  for 
here  is  her  own  petition  forwarded  to  the  empress, 
requesting  the  place,  and  here  is  the  nomination 
which  I  am  authorized  to  communicate  to  the  pe- 
titioner !"  We  may  judge  of  the  astonishment  pro- 
duced by  the  exhibition  of  these  documents  :  "  But," 
continued  the  speaker,  "Madame  la  Duchesse,  I 
doubt  not  your  own  application  will  be  favourably 
heard,  and  it  will  give  me  pleasure  to  forward  your 
interests."  This  cut  right  and  left,  for  the  Dutchess 
de  Balby  was  herself  actually  an  expectant ! 

Count  Lewis  de  Narbonne,  previous  to  the  em- 
pire, had  distinguished  himself  by  his  ultra-royalism. 
Like  most  others  opposed  to  Napoleon  he  corres- 
ponded with  Madame  de  Stae'l.  The  "fair  exile 
of  Copet,"  for  so  the  authoress  was  named,  had 
written  to  the  count  by  one  she  considered  a  confi- 
dential messenger,  and  accordingly  had  not  disguised 
her  thoughts  on  the  new  order  of  things,  and  es- 
pecially on  the  conduct  of  those  who  had  accepted 
offices  at  court.  Here  the  writer  showed  herself 
extremely  witty  at  the  expense  of  the  new  digni- 
taries, concluding  with  the  hope  that  she  should 
never  feel  the  sorrow  of  seeing  the  count's  name  in 
the  gazette.  The  bearer  of  the  letter,reflecting  whence 
it  had  come,  naturally  thought  that  the  communica- 
tion would  be  interesting  to  Fouche.  The  minister 
opened,  read,  and  copied  the  contents,  then,  carefully 
resealing  the  packet,  desired  the  faithful  messenger 
to  execute  his  commission,  and  bring  him  the  count's 
reply.  The  snare  took ;  Count  Lewis  answered  in  a 
similar  but,  if  possible,  more  severely  satirical  tone, 
on  the  new  courtiers.  He  was  at  this  very  time  ap- 
plicant for  the  appointment  of  chamberlain  of  the  em- 
pire, which  he  obtained  a  day  or  two  after  the  empe- 
ror had  read  the  correspondence  above !  It  is  worthy 
of  observation,  that  none  were  more  remarkably 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  253 

assiduous  in  their  courtly  duties  than  Count  Lewis 
de  Narbonne.  "  1  am  afraid,''  said  Josephine,  on 
whose  authority  the  anecdote  rests,  "that the  count's 
very  graceful  and  innumerable  bows  will  avail  nothing, 
for  Napoleon  tells  me  each  reverence  reminds  him 
of  this  unlucky  correspondence,  and  occasions  him 
some  difficulty  in  restraining  a  smile."  The  count, 
however,  not  long  afterward,  was  named  imperial 
ambassador  to  the  court  of  Vienna,  remained  in  high 
favour,  and  deserted  among  the  first  the  falling  for- 
tunes of  his  master.  Napoleon  could  not,  in  fact, 
calculate  upon  the  attachment  of  such  men,  and  yet 
had  the  weakness  to  think  them  necessary  to  him, 
or,  perhaps,  as  one  of  their  own  number  says,  "  he 
loved  the  flattery  of  the  old,  as  being  more  adroit 
than  that  of  the  new  courtiers." 

Often,  too,  Napoleon  found  matter  of  great  sur- 
prise in  the  choice  made  by  these  ancient  courtiers. 
When  he  offered  them  commands  in  his  armies,  they 
preferred  places  in  his  household.  "  Is  it  possible," 
he  would  ask,  on  granting  these  ignoble  requests, 
"  that  such  men  can  really  be  the  descendants  of  the 
brave  men  whose  names  they  bear  ?"  The  com- 
mencement of  the  empire  likewise  seemed  an  aus- 
picious era  for  disappointed  applicants  on  former 
occasions  to  try  their  fortunes  a  second  time. — 
Bouriennehas  mentioned  the  rebuff  experienced  from 
the  consul  by  M.  de  Comminges,  one  of  their  com- 
panions at  the  school  of  Brienne :  "  The  emperor 
may  be  more  friendly  disposed,"  thought  M.  de  Com- 
minges. "  Well,  sir,  how  were  you  employed  during 
the  Revolution  ? — have  you  served  V' — "  No,  sire." — 
"  You  doubtless  followed  the  Bourbons,  then,  in  their 
exile  ?" — "  Oh  no,  sire,  by  no  means  !  I  remained  at 
home  quietly  cultivating  my  little  estate." — "  A  double 
folly  that,  sir :  in  times  of  civil  trouble,  every  man 
ought  to  expose  his  person  for  one  party  or  another. 
What  would  you  now  ?" — "  Sire,  my  wishes  are  mod- 
erate ;  a  small  place  in  the  customs  of  my  little 


254  MEMOIRS    OF 

native  city  would  render — "  "  Enough,  sir,"  inter- 
rupted Napoleon;  "you  shall  have  it;  and  remain 
there."  "Is  it  possible,"  said  the  emperor,  on  dis- 
missing him  thus,  "  that  such  a  man  can  have  been 
my  comrade !" 

But  of  all  the  improprieties  of  which  these  mem- 
bers of  the  ancient  aristocracy  were  guilty  at  the 
new  court,  the  most  unpardonable  was  the  tone  of 
impertinent  afifeQtation  of  not  being  dependent  on 
Madame  Bonaparte.  Among  these  none  was  more 
remarkable  than  the  beautiful  Dutchessde  Chevreuse, 
whom  we  cite  as  an  example  the  rather  that  the 
emperor  has  been  accused  of  unmanly  barbarity 
towards  her.  As  one  of  the  "  ladies  of  the  palace" 
to  .  Josephine,  who  certainly  was  any  thing  but  an 
unkind  mistress,  Madame  de  Chevreuse,  however, 
ought  to  have  remembered,  that  having  once  accepted 
place,  its  duties  were  to  be  discharged  with  a  modest 
respectfulness,  neither  in  base  adulation  nor  over- 
weening assumption.  Of  this  conduct,  too,  there 
were  models  among  the  order,  whom  Josephine  well 
knew  how  to  appreciate  and  to  recommend  to  her 
husband.  Of  such  demeanour,  the  Baroness  de 
Montmorency,  whose  family  had  shown  devoted  at- 
tachment to  the  Bourbons,  but  whose  fortune  did  not 
permit  her  refusal  of  a  situation  under  a  new  dynasty, 
exhibited  an  eminent  example.  "  How  infinitely  bet- 
ter satisfied,"  would  the  empress  often  repeat,  "  am 
I  with  the  dignified  reserve  of  Madame  de  Montmo- 
rency, than  with  the  importunate  eagerness  of  others, 
who,  while  they  adulate  me  here  at  the  Tuileries 
with  the  basest  flattery,  will  talk  of  Madame  Bona- 
parte in  certain  saloons  of  the  Fauxbourg  St.  Ger- 
main." That  Napoleon  also  could  well  discrimi- 
nate between  the  two  classes  the  following  anecdote 
proves : — One  day  he  entered  the  saloon  where 
Josephine  and  her  ladies  were  assembled,  with  a 
most  magnificent  diamond  aigrette,  which  had  just 
arrived  as  a  present  from  the  sultan.  The  splendid 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  255 

gift  was  prodigiously  admired  by  the  courtiers,  all  the 
ladies  declaring  they  had  never  beheld  any  thing 
more  beautiful.  Observing  the  Baroness  de  Mont- 
morency  among  the  number,  the  emperor  broke  the 
jewel  in  two,  and  presenting  her  with  one  half,  said, 
"  Permit  me,  madam,  to  request  your  acceptance  of 
this  small  token  of  my  esteem."  The  Dutchess  de 
Chevreuse,  on  the  other  hand,  was  banished  from 
the  court ;  the  immediate  cause  of  this,  indeed,  pro^ 
ceeded  from  a  disagreement  with  la  reine  Joseph, 
— a  very  excellent  personage,  by-the-way ;  but  the 
punishment  was  not  inflicted  before  she  had  given 
various  specimens  of  an  impertinent  and,  in  the  rela- 
tive position  of  the  parties,  even  vulgar  petulance, 
overlooked  at  the  time,  though  doubtless  not  forgot- 
ten. Once,  for  instance,  when  the  dutchess  appeared 
in  the  drawing-room  with  a  rich  headdress  of  dia- 
monds, Napoleon,  who  considered  himself  an  adept 
in  the  female  toilet,  approached,  and  said  to  her, 
"  What  beautiful  stones !  are  they  all  real  ?" — "  Mon 
Dieu !  sire,  how  should  I  know  ?  but,  for  this  place, 
they  are  surely  good  enough!"  This  unfortunate 
lady  died  in  a  species  of  exile,  not  being  permitted 
to  approach  within  a  hundred  leagues  of  Paris.— 
Josephine  vainly  endeavoured  to  mollify  the  empe- 
ror's resentment :  at  length,  the  dutchess, heart-bro- 
ken, fell  into  deep  consumption ;  and  that  the  last 
hours  of  the  poor  sufferer  might  be  in  peace,  Napo- 
leon's permission  was  implored  for  her  to  expire  in 
the  bosom  of  her  family.  "  She  can  die,"  was  the 
stern  answer,  "  as  well  in  the  country  as  at  Paris." 
All  these  details  relative  to  the  materiel  of  the 
imperial  court  essentially  belong  to  the  life  of  Jose- 
phine. All  these  "  household  troops,"  as  they  were 
termed,  made  a  government  whose  phraseology 
continued  to  be  military,  mano3uvred  under  her  di- 
rection, and,  as  concerned  her  own  establishment, 
at  least,  had  in  the  first  instance  been  appointed 
chiefly  through  her  immediate  influence.  When  the 


256  MEMOIRS    OF 

members  of  the  ancient  aristocracy  desired  to  give 
in  their  adhesion,  or,  in  other  words,  "  to  take  ser- 
vice and  pay"  under  the  empire,  application  was  in 
the  first  place  generally  ma/'e  to  Madame  de  Mon- 
tesson,  and  through  her  to  the  empress.  The  fol- 
lowing notes  are  further  illustrative  of  this  subject. 

The  Empress  to  the  Comtesse  de  Damas. 

"  MADAME  LA  COMTESSE, — I  cannot  request  of  the 
emperor  permission  to  receive  your  daughter  among 
my  ladies ;  he  has  positively  declared  his  pleasure 
that  persons  attached  to  the  court  shall  be  married. 
Madame  de  Montesson  will  inform  you  that  she  could 
not  obtain  that  favour  for  her  niece  (Mademoiselle 
de  Valence).  The  situation  of  dame  de  palais  is 
promised  so  soon  as  she  is  married ;  and  solely  to  the 
friendship  which  both  the  emperor  and  myself  en- 
tertain for  Madame  de  Montesson  is  owing  this  man- 
ner of  eluding  a  difficulty.  It  gives  me  pain  that  1 
am  unable  to  prove  otherwise  than  by  regret  the 
pleasure  I  should  have  felt  in  doing  any  thing  agree- 
able to  you." 

Napoleon  had  taken  the  resolution  mentioned  in 
ftie  note  from  the  scandalous  disorders  of  the  courts 
of  his  predecessors.  Without  inquiring  further, 
1here  certainly  prevailed  in  the  imperial  court  an 
external  decency  of  manners  long  unknown  in  the 
history  of  the  royal  house  of  France ;  but  his  pre- 
cautions were  often  carried  to  an  affected  excess, 
especially  considering  the  previous  disorders  of  the 
Revolution.  His  general  laws  of  decorum  allowed 
no  distinctions,  according  to  circumstances.  Of 
unjust  exclusions  arising  from  his  attention  to  mere 
appearances,  rather  than  real  purity,  the  following 
letter,  while  it  explains  the  cause,  shows  how  deeply 
Josephine  felt  her  inability  to  reward  past  services  •-— 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  257 

The  Empress  to  the  Comtcsse  de  Girardin,  formerly 
Dutchess  D*  Aiguillon. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, — I  am  most  afflicted — and  far 
indeed  from  beholding  my  wishes  fulfilled,  as  ancient 
friends  may  suppose,  who  will  doubtless  believe, 
that  if  I  do  not  see  them  it  is  because  I  have  forgot- 
ten the  past.  Alas  !  no  ;  on  the  contrary,  I  remem- 
ber it  but  too  well,  and  my  thoughts  dwell  upon  it 
more  than  I  would ;  for  the  more  I  think  upon  what 
they  did  for  me,  the  greater  is  my  sorrow  at  being 
unable  to  do  now  what  my  heart  dictates.  The 
Empress  of  France  is  but  the  first  slave  in  the  em- 
pire, and  cannot  acquit  the  debts  of  Madame  de 
Beauharnais!  This  constitutes  the  torture  of  my 
life  ;  and  will  explain  why  you  do  not  occupy  a  place 
near  me  ;  why  I  do  not  see  Madame  Tallien ;  in  fine, 
why  several  ladies,  formerly  our  confidential  friends, 
would  be  strangers  to  me,  were  not  my  memory 
faithful.  The  emperor,  indignant  at  the  total  dis- 
regard of  morality,  and  alarmed  at  the  progress  it 
might  still  make,  is  resolved  that  the  example  of  a 
life  of  regularity  and  of  religion  shall  be  given 
in  the  palace  where  he  commands.  Desirous  of 
strengthening  more  and  more  the  church  re-estab- 
lished by  himself,  and  unable  to  change  the  laws 
appointed  by  her  observances,  his  intention  is  at 
least  to  keep  at  a  distance  from  his  court  all  those 
who  may  have  profited  by  the  possibility  of  divorce. 
This  he  has  promised  to  the  pope ;  arid  hitherto  has 
kept  his  word.  Hence  the  cause  of  his  refusing  the 
favour  I  asked  of  having  you  with  me.  The  refusal 
has  occasioned  me  unspeakable  regret ;  but  he  is  too 
absolute  to  leave  even  the  hope  of  seeing  him  retract. 
I  am  thus  constrained  to  renounce  the  pleasure  which 
I  had  promised  myself  of  being  constantly  with  you, 
studying  to  make  you  forget  the  sovereign  in  the 
friend.  Pity  my  lot  in  being  too  public  a  personage 
to  follow  my  own  inclination,  and  cherish  for  me  a 
Y2 


258  MEMOIRS  OF 

friendship,  the  remembrance  of  which  gives  me  now 
as  much  pleasure  as  its  reality  afforded  consolation 
in  prison.  Often  do  I  regret  that  small,  dark,  and 
dismal  chamber  which  we  shared  together,  for  there 
at  least  I  could  pour  out  my  whole  heart — and  was 
sincerely  beloved  in  return." 

The  reader  will  not  have  forgotten  that  the  lady 
here  addressed  had  been  fellow-prisoner  .with  Jose- 
phine, and  rendered  important  services  in  the  most 
eventful  crisis  of  her  fate.  The  following  letter 
exhibits  a  frank  yet  dignified  appreciation  of  the  supe- 
riority of  merit  over  birth,  which  proves  the  writer 
to  have  been  no  slave  to  the  prejudices  of  her  rank. 

The  Empress  to  the  Archchancellor  Cambaceres. 

"  M.  L'ARCHICHANCELIER, — Permit  me  to  make  tise 
of  the  right  which  my  duties  give  me  of  aiding 
the  unfortunate,  and  of  the  desire  I  have  ever  wit- 
nessed in  you  to  assist  me  in  that  respect.  The  object 
of  my  present  application  is  to  obtain  an  employment 
in  the  emperor's  household  for  M.  Cyrille  Desforgues : 
he  is  a  man  without  birth,  fortune,  or  patronage — 
but  he  is  unfortunate !  All  these  supports,  then,  he 
must  find  in  us.  As  to  birth,  both  you  and  I  know 
that  it  is  often  good  for  nothing  except  to  dispense 
with  merit.  The  emperor  would  have  been  still  a 
sub-lieutenant,  if,  in  order  to  obtain  the  epaulettes 
of  a  general,  the  only  qualification  had  been  to  prove 
his  four  quarters.  I  say  nothing  of  for  tune,  though 
the  emperor  requires  every  one  who  enters  his  do- 
mestic service  to  have  an  assured  independence ;  the 
real  merit,  acquired  knowledge,  and  talents  of  M. 
Desforgues  recommend  him  to  your  highness,  who 
will  quickly  supply  this  mistake  of  the  blind  goddess. 

"  In  the  career  upon  which  this  honourable  man 
would  enter,  he  will  not  fail  to  encounter  rivals  more 
favoured,  more  intriguing,  and  more  adroit ;  he  will 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  259 

not  fear  them,  nor  shall  I  fear  them  on  his  account, 
when  he  has  you  as  a  guide.  I  venture  to  believe 
you  will  condescend  to  become  so,  since  he  is  unfor- 
tunate, and  worthy  of  your  protection  and  mine.  I 
supply  new  objects  for  your  benevolence ;  you  will 
add  fresh  motives  for  my  gratitude." 

The  new  court  was  at  length  arranged ;  and  before 
the  close  of  the  empire  included,  with  three  or  four 
exceptions,  all  the  ancient  nobility  of  France.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  months,  all  things,  if  not  in  the 
most  graceful,  were  at  least  in  the  most  regular  order. 
From  all  accounts,  ceremony  and  etiquette  were 
carried  far  beyond  even  courtly  tiresomeness  and 
monotony.  All  the  traditions  surviving  among  the 
ancients  of  the  aristocracy,  or  which  could  be  recov- 
ered from  the  archives  of  royal  usages,  were  collected 
and  printed  in  a  tome  of  some  magnitude,  entitled 
"  Etiquettes  of  the  Court  of  Napoleon."  This  formed 
the  manual  of  the  courtiers,  wherein  the  most  mi- 
nute observances  were  prescribed,  and,  as  an  eye- 
witness has  left  recorded,  "  ladies  the  most  distin- 
guished for  their  wit  and  talents  daily  passed  hours 
in  the  study  of  its  mortal  pages."  The  number  of 
steps  was  counted,  the  position  of  the  arms  and  head 
fixed,  and  the  curve  of  salutation  described  with 
the  same  rigorous  precision  as  the  exercise  of  the 
conscript.  This  must  have  been  very  annoying  to 
all,  and  occasionally  produced  awkward  pleasantries. 
For  instance,  in  the  first  progress  made  by  their  im- 
perial majesties,  a  drawing-room  was  to  be  held  in 
one  of  the  cities  on  the  Rhenish  frontier.  The  im- 
portant affair  of  presentation  occupied  of  course  the 
thoughts  of  every  one  who  had  any  claim  to  that 
honour.  One  of  the  ladies  aspirants  to  this  distinc- 
tion, knowing  a  friend  who  had  been  presented,  wrote 
for  instructions,  and  received  the  following : — "  You 
make  three  courtesies ;  one  on  entering  the  saloon, 
one  in  the  middle,  and  a  third  a  few  paces  farther 


260  MEMOIRS    OF 

on,  en  pirouette."  This  last  proved  a  complete  mys- 
tery, and  had  nearly  turned  all  the  respectable  heads 
in  Cologne,  the  scene  of  expected  operations.  A 
consultation  was  called,  the  letter  communicated, 
and  deep  deliberation  ensued.  Many  of  the  ladies 
were  old — en  pirouette ! — very  difficult ;  some  of  Ger- 
man blood,  were  tall — en  pirouette  I — very  awkward  ; 
some  were  young — en  pirouette  I — might  tumble — very 
bad  that ;  some  were  short — en  pirouette  ! — looked 
squat,  and  they  drew  themselves  up ;  in  fine,  all  found 
the  reverence  en  pirouette  to  be  a  very  questionable  ex- 
periment. At  length,  a  member  of  the  divan  proposed 
the  alternative,  that  since  resigning  the  honour  was 
not  even  to  be  thought  of,  they  should  prepare,  by 
exercise  and  practice,  for  duly  appearing  in  the  court 
circular.  No  sooner  said  than  done ;  the  decision 
gave  universal  satisfaction.  The  conclave  broke  up ; 
and  for  the  next  fifteen  days,. in  all  the  drawing-rooms 
of  the  venerable  city  of  Cologne,  from  morning  till 
night,  the  ladies  were  twirling  away  like  so  many 
spinning-tops  or  dancing  dervishes.  Nothing  was 
talked  of  during  the  same  space  but  these  evolutions ; 
how  many  circumgirations  one  could  make  and  yet 
keep  her  feet ;  how  many  falls  another  had  got,  or  how 
gracefully  a  third  performed.  Happily,  on  the  eve- 
ning when  the  court  did  actually  arrive,  and  conse- 
quently on  that  preceding  the  ceremonial,  which  had 
given  rise  to  all  this  activity,  the  original  propounder 
of  the  motion  bethought  her  of  calling  upon  one  of 
the  empress's  ladies  for  still  more  precise  instruc- 
tions. The  redoubted  pirouette  was  now  found  to 
have  been  misunderstood,  implying  simply  a  gentle 
inclination,  in  rising,  towards  the  personages  of  the 
court ;  and  Josephine  had  the  satisfaction  of  being 
amused  by  the  recital  in  private,  and  thus  escaped 
the  mortification  of  beholding  her  visiters  of  the 
morrow  transferred  into  so  many  rotatory  machines. 
We  may  well  conceive  the  vexations  occasioned 
by  this  host  of  petty  observances  to  those  sturdy 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  261 

veterans  who  were  more  conversant  with  the  battle- 
field than  the  boudoir.  Doubtless,  however,  the 
ridicule  which  has  attached  to  the  manners  of  Napo- 
leon's court  has  been  greatly  exaggerated,  and  from 
evident  design,  in  writings  published  by  renegade 
courtiers  since  the  restoration.  We  have  Jose- 
phine's own  authority,  whose  judgment  and  taste  are 
indisputable,  that  the  emperor  himself,  from  the  first, 
observed  with  ease  the  habitudes  of  his  rank.  "  Most 
certainly,"  such  are  her  own  words  when  conversing 
in  the  little  circle  of  her  own  exiled  court,  "  most 
truly  do  I  regard  the  emperor  as  a  man  who  has  no 
equal.  In  camps,  at  the  council-board,  they  find  him 
extraordinary,  but  in  the  interior  of  his  palace  he 
ever  appeared  to  me  still  more  remarkable.  I  con- 
fess that,  notwithstanding  my  experience  of  the 
world  and  its  usages,  the  commencement  of  the  im- 
perial forms  embarrassed  me.  The  emperor,  on  the 
contrary,  made  a  sport,  a  pleasure  of  them,  and  in 
all  the  palace  he  alone,  beyond  contradiction,  best 
understood  their  observances.  Lannes,  who  enjoyed 
full  license  of  speech,  made  mockery  of  what  he 
termed  *  the  hypocrisies  of  political  worship ;'  but, 
estimating  such  things  at  their  real  value,  the  em- 
peror regards  them  under  relations  more  elevated, 
and  conceives  that,  in  the  eyes  of  the  people,  they 
conduce  to  restore  to  power  the  majesty  and  ascend- 
ency which  so  many  years  of  anarchy  had  de- 
stroyed. He  grants,  in  truth,  that  their  principal 
influence  springs  from  the  personal  qualities  of  those 
invested  with  the  supreme  rule ;  but  he  maintains, 
that,  without  equalling  or  superseding  these  qualities, 
ceremonial  institutions  may  supply  their  place  with 
advantage.  In  supporting  such  a  system,  Napoleon, 
shows  himself  at  least  very  disinterested,  for  who 
can  stand  less  in  need  of  appliances  to  impose  upon 
men  than  one  who  seems  born  to  govern  ?  In  proof 
of  his  argument  he  adduces  the  example  of  a  crowd 
of  princes  \vho  have  reigned,  so  to  speak,  rathey 


262  MEMOIRS    OF 

seated  or  lying  than  standing  upright,  but  whose 
couch,  guarded  by  the  barriers  of  etiquette,  has  been 
respected  like  a  sanctuary. 

"  Of  these  views,"  added  Josephine,  "  I  did  not 
altogether  approve,  but  submitted  to  them ;"  and 
indeed  her  whole  conduct  showed,  that  whatever 
tended  to  substitute  form  for  sentiment,  or  place 
restraint  upon  intercourse  with  those  around  her, 
gave  pain.  Her  elevation  so  far  tended  to  her  un- 
happiness,  that  it  placed  in  solitary  greatness,  above 
the  kindly  glow  of  equal  affections,  a  heart  "  whose 
first  desire  was  to  be  loved."  In  this  sense  she 
might  have  said, — 

Never  did  subject  long  to  be  a  queen 
As  I  do  long  and  wish  to  be  a  subject. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  empire,  the  etiquette 
of  which  she  chiefly  complained  was  that  which 
obliged  her  to  remain  seated  while  she  received  those 
who  had  lately  been  her  equals,  or  even  her  supe- 
riors, in  rank.  Nothing  could  be  more  amiable  than 
her  reception  of  those  ladies  who  came  to  take  the 
oaths  of  fidelity  on  receiving  appointments  in  the 
imperial  household.  She  took  care  to  remove  all 
ostentatious  ceremony — was  usually  accompanied 
only  by  her  first  lady  of  honour — talked  to  the 
neophyte,  who  was  often  an  old  acquaintance,  of 
their  former  intimacy,  or  on  such  topics  as  might 
render  less  sensible  the  difference  between  their 
present  station,  and  make  the  whole  pass  as  an 
agreement  between  two  friends  to  love  each  other. 
This  condescension  extended  even  to  her  humble 
domestics,  yet  never  degenerated  into  undignified 
familiarity  or  absence  of  self-possession,  as  the  fol- 
lowing little  incident  testifies : — On  the  very  first  oc- 
casion of  her  leaving  St.  Cloud  for  a  distant  excur- 
sion as  empress,  Josephine  traversed  a  whole  suite 
of  apartments,  though  pressed  for  time,  to  give  direc* 
tions  to  a  very  subaltern  person  of  her  household. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  263 

Oil  returning,  the  grand  steward  remonstrated  very 
respectfully  on  thus  compromising  the  dignity  of 
the  crown,  and  that  her  majesty  should  give  orders 
through  him.  The  empress  upon  this  gayly  replied, 
"  You  are  quite  right,  my  good  sir,  and  such  neglect 
of  etiquette  might  be  altogether  inexcusable  in  a 
princess  born  to  a  throne  and  trained  to  the  restraints 
which  it  imposes ;  but  have  the  goodness  to  recollect 
that  I  have  enjoyed  the  felicity  of  living  so  many 
years  as  a  private  individual,  and  do  not  take  it  amiss 
if  I  sometimes  venture  to  speak  kindly  to  my  ser- 
vants without  an  interpreter." 

The  first  steps  towards  empire,  we  have  seen, 
were  effected  amid  conspiracies,  imprisonments,  and 
the  murder  of  a  prince.  Some  of  its  earliest  acts 
were  marked  by  Josephine's  humane  exertions  in 
favour  of  the  accused.  The  trials  of  those  impli- 
cated in  the  conspiracy  of  Georges  and  Pichegru 
terminated  only  in  June.  Of  the  principal  conspira- 
tors, all  who  were  saved  by  a  commutation  of  capital 
punishment  owed  their  lives  chiefly  to  her  interces- 
sion. They  were  the  Prince  Polignac,  MM.  de 
Lozier,  Rusillon,  Rochelle,  d'Hozier,  de  Riviere,  and 
General  Lajollais.  The  female  relatives  of  these 
unfortunate  men  were  the  mediators  who  obtained 
access  to  the  empress,  mainly  through  Madame  de 
Montesson,  and  were  thus  placed  in  Napoleon's 
way;  for  Josephine,  with  excellent  knowledge  of 
his  dispositions,  which  rendered  him  most  suscepti- 
ble to  impulses  of  unpremeditated  feeling,  called  in 
this  resource  in  aid  of  her  own  application.  The 
intercessor  for  the  Polignacs  was  their  aunt,  Madame 
de  la  Tour ;  and  it  speaks  powerfully  in  favour  of 
the  empress,  that  one,  though  moving  formerly  in 
the  highest  circles,  then  reduced  to  needlework  for 
support,  could  still,  in  the  cause  of  humanity,  com- 
mand a  ready  entrance  to  the  Tuileries.  This  re- 
minds us  of  an  offering  presented  to  Josephine,  on 
her  first  imperial  birthday,  consisting  of  a  table  of 


264  MEMOIRS   OF 

white  marble,  decorated  with  paintings  of  flowetfy 
by  Madame  de  Montesson,^-an  art  in  which  she 
excelled,— and  various  elegant  fancy  works,  by  the 
ladies  of  her  domestic  circle.  The  latter  were 
chiefly  embroidered  by  Madame  de  la  Tour  and  her 
daughter,  who  had  worked  almost  night  and  day, 
thus  to  express  their  grateful  sense  of  the  empress's 
humane  condescension.  This  gift,  pleasing  at  once 
from  its  simplicity  and  its  motives,  was  soon  after* 
ward,  on  the  birthday  of  the  giver,  acknowledged 
by  the  present  of  two  beautiful  vases,  from  the  im- 
perial manufactory  of  Sevres,  accompanied  by  the 
following  note : — 

The  Empress  to  Madame  de  Montesson,  ci-devant 
Dutchess  of  Orleans. 

"BEING  prevented  from  offering  in  person  my 
good  wishes  on  this  day,  I  console  myself,  dear 
mamma,  in  the  assurance,  that  you  give  me  credit 
for  their  sincerity.  I  send  you  two  vases,  which 
will  recall  me  to  your  remembrance,  though  the 
flowers  upon  them  are  far  from  being  so  beautiful 
as  those  painted  by  your  hand  upon  my  charming 
table  of  white  marble.  I  value  it  as  every  thing 
deserves  to  be  valued  that  comes  from  you,  and 
request  you  again  to  accept  my  thanks.  Marshal 
Berthier  tells  me  he  dines  with  you  to-day.  He 
loves  you ;  and  on  that  account  have  I  commis- 
sioned him  to  repeat,  in  my  name,  how  much  I 
regret  not  being  able  to  follow  my  own  inclination, 
which  would  quite  naturally  lead  me  to  Romainville, 
to  join  your  family  and  numerous  friends,  at  the 
head  of  whom  I  have  the  presumption  to  place  my- 
self, though  I  can  but  so  rarely  enjoy  my  share  of 
the  pleasure  which  they  derive  from  a  conversation 
agreeable  to  all,  instructive  and  useful  to  most. 

"  The  poor  woman  whoxi  you  recommended  to 
me  is  satisfied  with  a  small  appointment  for  her  son. 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  265 

It  will  afford  time  for  something  better.  Be  assured, 
I  will  not  forget  them.  Present  my  thanks  to  the 
ladies  of  your  circle,  for  the  beautiful  works  I  re- 
ceived from  them.  It  is  decided,  that  every  one 
who  approaches  you  shall  possess  some  perfection. 
Why,  then,  am  I  so  far  distant  1  Adieu,  dear  mamma* 
Love  me,  and  let  me  ever  have  your  advice  :  for  it 
is  very  difficult  to  fill  the  place  which  I  occupy  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all, — and  that  is  what  I  wish." 

The  reader  is  already  aware,  that  Madame  de 
Montesson  was  the  widow  of  the  Duke  of  Orleans, 
and,  consequently,  mother-in-law  to  his  present 
majesty,  Louis  Philippe.  At  this  period,  she  resided 
at  the  villa  of  Romainville,  on  a  pension  of  six 
thousand  guineas,  granted  by  Napoleon,  with  whom 
she  was  a  great  favourite,  from  having  crowned  him 
with  the  mathematical  laurel  at  Brienne,  and  was 
often  visited  in  this  retreat  by  his  wife  and  sisters, 
her  acquaintance  constituting,  in  some  measure,  the 
medium  of  intercourse  between  the  old  and  new 
courtiers.  She  died  in  1806,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
eight.*  Strange  are  the  vicissitudes  of  human 
affairs ! — a  Dutchess  of  Orleans  pensioned  by  Bona- 
parte, and  Josephine  interceding  for  a  life  under  the 
empire,  which  twenty-six  years  afterward  was  to  be 
forfeited  again, — and  under  the  reign  of  a  Bourbon ! 
Another  of  these  rescued  captives,  destined,  like 
Polignac,  to  play  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  present 
times,  was  the  Marquis  de  Riviere,  who,  raised  to  a 
dukedom  by  Charles  X.,  and  made  preceptor  to  the 
young  Duke  of  Bordeaux,  died  in  1828,  and  thus 
escaped  the  grief  of  following  his  sovereign  a 
second  time  into  exile.  The  sister  of  De  Riviere 
had  implored  the  protection  of  the  empress : — "  To 
your  brother,"  said  the  latter,  "  attaches  the  import- 
ance of  a  leader  in  this  unhappy  affair.  It  were 

*  See  Memoir  of  Bmirrienne,  prefixed  to  the  2d  edition  of  the  trans- 
lation of  his  work,  in  Constable's  Miscellany. 

z 


266  MEMOIRS    OF 

well,  therefore,  he  himself  wrote  to  the  emperor, 
that  so  my  application  might  with  more  reason  be 
granted." — "  Alas !  your  majesty  does  not  know  my 
brother.  He  will  not  write,  nor  dare  I  even  propose 
it." — "  Well,  then,"  replied  the  good  Josephine,  "  we 
must  try  to  save  him,  even  in  spite  of  himself."  It 
may  give  some  idea  of  the  perfect  self-possession 
of  these  men,  that  De  Riviere,  on  the  day  of  his 
trial,  observing  the  beautiful  Dutchess  of  La  Force 
among  the  crowd  of  rank  and  talent  which  daily 
filled  the  court  during  these  famous  proceedings, 
addressed  her  in  the  following  impromptu,  turning 
on  the  names  of  the  principal  places  of  durance  in 
Paris : — 

In  prison  is  one  ill  or  well  ? 

Ill,  ill,  as  sad  examples  tell. 

The  Bureau  Central  fills  with  fear. 

The  Temple's  towers  are  chill  and  drear, 

The  Abbey's  dungeons  are  still  worse ; 

But  blest 's  the  captive  of  La  Force ! 

It  might  be  said,  that  those  of  the  condemned 
now  mentioned  belonged  to  the  noblest  families  in 
France,  consequently  could  command  powerful  in- 
tercession, while  there  existed  an  interest  and  po- 
litical advantages  to  be  served  by  interceding.  The 
following  incident,  however,  shows  that  Josephine's 
ear  was  open  to  every  appeal  for  mercy.  The  cir- 
cumstances, also,  are  the  more  important  to  be 
known,  that  Bourrienne,  usually  so  correct,  has 
described  Lajollais  as  an  agent  of  the  police,  and 
pardoned  on  that  account.  With  his  usual  candour, 
indeed,  he  acknowledged  his  mistake  in  a  short  note 
to  one  of  his  latei  volumes,  having  subsequently 
obtained  more  correct  information,  in  all  probability 
from  the  same  authority  as  we  now  quote.  One 
morning  a  child  (for  she  did  not  exceed  thirteen 
years  of  age)  arrived  at  St.  Cloud,  entreating  to  see 
the  empress,  on  a  matter  of  life  and  death.  Though 
not  yet  five  o'clock,  the  attendants  did  not  hesitate 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE  267 

to  inform  their  mistress,  knowing  she  might  forgive 
being  disturbed,  but  would  not  overlook  inhumanity. 
The  petitioner  was  the  daughter  of  General  Lajol- 
lais,  who,  without  informing  any  one,  had  left  the 
relations  under  whose  protection  she  had  been  re- 
siding in  Paris,  her  mother  likewise  being  in  prison 
as  an  accomplice ;  and  thus,  alone,  friendless,  and 
unknown,  had  come  to  cast  herself  at  the  empress's 
feet,  to  supplicate  for  a  father's  life.  A  privy  council 
was  to  assemble  exactly  at  five  that  same  morning. 
Josephine  directed  the  weeping  girl  to  be  concealed 
near  the  saloon  through  which  Napoleon  must  neces- 
sarily pass  on  coming  from  the  council  chamber. 
In  behalf  of  Lajollais,  who,  though  cleared  by  a 
court-martial,  had  still  remained  under  suspicion, 
from  connexion  with  the  events  of  the  18th  Fructi- 
dor,  she  had  not  even  ventured  to  plead.  The  coun- 
cil continued  to  sit  for  twelve  hours ;  the  empress 
ordered  refreshments  to  be  carried  to  her  protegee, 
and  repeatedly  went  herself,  accompanied  by  Hor- 
tense,  endeavouring,  in  the  kindest  manner,  to  per- 
suade her  to  take  something ;  but  in  vain  were  the 
most  tempting  delicacies  presented  by  her  own. 
hand ;  the  poor  child  could  think  only  of  the  dread- 
ful situation  of  a  father,  whose  immediate  execution 
might  be  pronounced  by  the  very  council  then  sitting. 
At  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  it  broke  up :  on  a 
sign  given  by  one  stationed  on  purpose  to  point  out 
the  emperor  to  her,  Mademoiselle  Lajollais  threw 
herself  before  Napoleon,  and  clasped  his  knees.  A 
heart-rending  scene  ensued  before  his  obduracy 
yielded ;  at  last  he  relented  so  far  as  to  say, "  Well, 
your  father  shall  not  die."  On  hearing  this,  the 
poor  supplicant  fainted  away ;  the  emperor  himself 
raised  and  consigned  her  to  Josephine,  who,  after 
bestowing  the  most  tender  care  on  her  recovery, 
dismissed  her  under  protection  of  the  brave  Lava- 
lette  to  announce  this  reprieve  to  her  father.  But 
on  arriving  at  the  dungeon,  she  found  it  impossible 


268  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  communicate  this  message  of  gladness ;  she  could 
only  sob  upon  her  father's  bosom ;  and  General 
Lavalette  informed  the  unhappy  man  through  what 
mediation  his  life  had  been  spared.  By  the  same 
intercession  Madame  Lajollais  was  next  morning 
restored  to  unconditional  freedom. 

Other  attempts  in  the  same  humane  cause  were 
not  attended  by  a  like  success ;  the  empress  vainly 
attempted  to  save  Villeneuve  and  Coster  St.  Victor, 
whose  chivalrous  bearing  had  excited  universal  sym- 
pathy. Madame  Coster,  aunt  of  the  former,  and 
celebrated  in  the  history  of  contemporary  art  for 
her  paintings  of  flowers,  hoping  that  Napoleon  might 
be  touched  by  the  situation  of  a  woman  of  talent, 
whose  sole  remaining  stay  rested  on  the  life  of  her 
nephew,  presented  one  of  her  finest  works :  the 
painting  was  admired  and  accepted  by  the  emperor, 
but  the  application  for  the  youth's  pardon  failed, 
though  supported  by  the  tears  and  entreaties  of  Jose- 
phine. It  is  certain,  also,  that  she  counselled  lenity 
towards  a  far  more  illustrious  captive  than  any  yet 
mentioned,  namely,  Moreau.  With  the  family  of 
that  celebrated  commander,  indeed,  she  had  at  one 
period  been  very  intimate.  Madame  Moreau,  for- 
merly Mademoiselle  Hulot,  a  Creole  also,  had  been 
the  particular  friend  of  Josephine,  and  chiefly 
through  her  influence  the  marriage  had  been  con- 
tracted. Bonaparte,  too,  has  himself  said,  that, 
delighted  with  the  amiable  temper  of  his  own  wife, 
he  had  recommended  to  his  brother-in-arms  a  con- 
nexion which  he  deemed  to  present  similar  induce- 
ments. "  God  knows,"  added  he,  "  how  I  have  been 
deceived."  The  mistake,  however,  was  not  dis- 
covered immediately;  for  some  time  the  ancient 
friendship  continued  to  subsist  between  the  ladies, 
and  even  after  the  accession  to  that  dignity,  the  best 
understanding  prevailed  for  a  space  between  Moreau 
and  the  First  Consul.  Of  this  the  following  incident 
may  serve  as  an  illustration : — One  morning,  while 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  269 

the  consul  and  the  general  were  conversing,  after 
having  breakfasted  together  at  the  Tuileries,  Carnot 
entered  with  a  pair  of  pistols  of  great  value,  which 
the  artisans  in  the  royal  manufactory  at  Versailles 
had  commissioned  him  to  present  to  Bonaparte. 
The  latter  received  and  handled  them  with  much 
satisfaction,  observing  that  they  were  really  beaufi- 
ful,  and  trustworthy  where  a  valuable  life  was  at 
stake ;  then,  turning  to  his  guest,  he  said,  "  Upon 
my  word,  general,  they  could  not  have  come  more 
opportunely ;  accept  them  from  me."  Moreau 
showed  himself  deeply  touched  by  this  frank  but 
highly  flattering  mode  of  presenting  a  soldier's  gift, 
and  very  warmly  expressed  his  thanks.  Various 
are  the  causes  assigned  for  the  interruption  of  this 
good  understanding ;  such  as  the  non-reception  of 
Mesdames  Hulot  and  Moreau  at  Malmaison  after 
the  battle  of  Hohenlinden.  In  this  Josephine  was 
certainly  not  to  blame,  for  she  did  every  thing  in 
her  power  to  efface  the  impression  of  this  neglect, 
whether  accidental  or  intended.  By  another  account, 
the  quarrel  commenced  exclusively  among  the  ladies. 
During  one  of  her  frequent  residences  at  the  baths 
of  Plombieres,  Josephine,  on  returning  from  a  morn- 
ing ride  on  horseback,  was  informed  that  Madame 
Moreau  and  her  mother  were  in  the  drawing-room. 
Through  this  apartment,  unfortunately,  lay  the  only 
access  to  Madame  Bonaparte's  dressing-room.  To 
none  conversant  with  the  mysteries  of  the  toilet  are 
the  mischievous  effects  of  the  air  and  sun  on  a  fac- 
titious complexion  unknown.  From  consciousness, 
as  the  story  goes,  that  after  a  long  ride  her  face  re- 
quired renovation,  Josephine  passed  rapidly  through 
the  saloon  without  noticing  her  visiters,  and  on  her 
return  they  were  gone. 

What  dire  mischiefs  from  slender  causes  spring ! 


Hence   the  perpetual  disunion  of   Napo' 
Moreau, — names,  it  has  been  alleged  by  the 


•leon   and 
£  flatterers 


270  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  the  latter,  which  the  same  hemisphere  could  not 
contain.  We  report  these,  and  might  transcribe 
other  similar  anecdotes,  not  as  giving  them  credit 
in  all  the  latitude  of  consequence  ascribed  to  them, 
but  as  showing  the  general  impression,  that  the  jea- 
lo.usy  and  discontent  of  his  wife  and  mother-in-law 
were  the  real  causes  of  Moreau's  separation  from 
Bonaparte.  To  say  that  the  latter  looked  with  dis- 
trust upon  the  reputation  of  the  former  is  an  ab- 
surdity. *'  I  envy  him  not,  because  I  fear  him  not," 
was  Napoleon's  dispassionate  estimate  of  the  man ; 
and  it  was  a  just  one.  Moreau  deemed  himself  capa- 
ble of  undertaking  a  grand  political  part,  and  yet 
was  he  without  political  principle  ;  a  republican,  or, 
at  least,  professing  to  be  so,  he  suffered  himself  to 
be  converted  into  a  most  active  agent  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  republican  forms ;  he  showed  equally  dis- 
posed to  pull  down  the  consulate,  yet,  as  Bonaparte 
shrewdly  remarked,  had  provided  nothing  to  be  sub- 
stituted in  its  stead ;  even  the  royalists  showed  less 
folly.  That  he  absolutely  plotted  with  Georges 
there  is  no  proof;  but  that  he  saw  him  twice  is  cer- 
tain ;  and,  after  a  public  trial  under  these  circum- 
stances, and  with  the  influence  he  still  held  over  the 
minds  of  the  soldiery,  it  was  impossible  for  Napo- 
leon to  listen  to  other  besides  Josephine's  interces- 
sion for  Moreau.  To  pursue  his  future  history  is 
unnecessary :  in  America,  he  had  leisure  for  the 
grovelling  pleasures  to  which  he  was  addicted ;  and 
the  results  of  the  battle  of  Dresden,  which  is  under- 
stood to  have  been  fought  entirely  according  to  his 
plans,  show  that  his  return  thence  was  any  thing  but 
indispensable  to  the  overthrow  of  his  more  fortunate 
rival.  The  times  have  passed  away  when  it  was 
the  fashion  to  hold  up  the  victor  at  Hohenlinden  as 
the  victim  of  patriotism  at  Dresden.  On  that  field 
he  appeared  in  the  uniform,  and  in  the  pay,  of  Russia; 
with  no  consistency  might  he  declare  for  the  Bour- 
bons ;  and  the  usurper  could  be  reached  only  through 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  271 

the  bosom  of  his  country.  The  hand,  therefore, 
which  from  the  monument  erected  on  the  scene 
of  his  fall  erased  the  word  hero>  and  deeply  and 
legibly  inscribed  the  word  traitor^  has  written  his 
true  epitaph. 

An  explicit  detail  of  Josephine's  exertions  in 
behalf  of  these  unfortunate  men  has  appeared  the 
more  necessary,  both  as  they  essentially  belong  to 
the  marked  events  of  her  life,  and  as  recent  attempts 
have  been  made  to  take  away  the  merit  of  these 
praiseworthy  endeavours  in  the  cause  of  her  fellow- 
creatures.  The  pardons  granted,  writers  have  not 
only  attributed  to  the  representations  of  Murat,  but 
have  likewise  accused  the  late  Duke  de  Riviere  of 
ungratefully  forgetting  his  preserver  in  the  hour  of 
need,  and  hastening  the  catastrophe  at  Pizzo.  Murat, 
indeed,  like  most  of  the  real  friends  of  Bonaparte, 
counselled  him  to  mercy,  and  even  to  dismiss  the 
prisoners,  alleging,  with  truth,  that  such  a  pro- 
ceeding would  tend  more  to  strengthen  his  newly 
established  throne  than  the  execution  of  all  the  con- 
spirators in  France.  However  just  these  general 
recommendations,  we  know  they  were  treated  with 
neglect;  and  so  far  from  De  Riviere  causing  the 
arrest  of  Murat  in  Corsica,  the  former  did  not  arrive 
in  that  island  until  November,  1816,  long  after  the 
death  of  the  unfortunate  ex-king  of  Naples,  whom, 
on  the  contrary,  meeting  at  Toulon,  he  earnestly 
advised  to  take  shipping  for  Trieste,  there  to  join 
the  ex-queen  Caroline.*  The  above  recital,  there- 
fore, gives  the  real  state  of  affairs ;  nor  can  any 
thing  deprive  Josephine  of  the  honour  of  having 
signalized  her  accession  to  a  diadem  by  so  many 
acts  of  mercy. 

The  interval  between  the  foundation  of  the  empire 
and  the  coronation  passed  in  the  events  and  arrange- 
ments now  discussed,  and  in  an  excursion  of  nearly 

*  Memoire*  Posthumes  de  Due  de  Rivtire.    Paris,  1829. 


272  MEMOIRS    OF 


three  months  through  the  Netherlands  and  along  the 
German  frontier.  Immediately  before  setting  out 
on  this  journey,  the  empress  made  her  first  grand 
appearance  in  that  capacity,  on  the  1 4th  of  July,  on 
the  occasion  of  administering  the  new  oath  to  the 
members  of  the  Legion  of  Honour.  How  singularly 
are  often  the  highest  and  least  important  concerns 
blended  together !  This,  perhaps  the  most  august, 
and  when  the  means  and  effects  of  the  institution 
are  considered,  certainly  most  imposing  ceremony 
of  the  empire,  was  introduced  by  a  dispute  among 
the  ladies  of  the  empress,  whether  they  should  be 
in  the  morning  or  full  dress.  After  due  deliberation, 
this  important  discussion  terminated  in  the  resolu- 
tion, that  since  the  empress  was  to  appear  in  grand 
costume,  her  attendants  should  be  apparelled  in  mode 
conforming.  This  decision  was  unanimous,  with 
the  exception  of  Madame  Lavalette,  dame  diatoms, 
or  tire-woman,  who,  accordingly,  made  her  appear- 
ance in  a  plain  muslin  robe.  It  is  needless  to  de- 
scribe the  ceremonial  which  took  place  in  the  Church 
of  the  Invalids :  a  seat  was  prepared  for  the  empress 
on  Napoleon's  right ;  eighteen  hundred  chevaliers 
of  the  order  were  presented ;  and  on  this  its  imperial 
regeneration,  we  might  have  expected  in  its  author 
an  elevation  of  mind  correspondent  to  the  dignity 
of  his  office.  Napoleon  returned  from  the  ceremony 
to  Josephine's  apartments  in  the  Tuileries,  passing 
for  the  first  time  by  the  grand  entrance  through 
the  gardens.  He  had  scarcely  entered,  when,  ap- 
proaching the  window,  some  boys  in  the  garden  set 
up  a  shout  of  "  Long  live  the  emperor !"  Turning 
away,  he  exclaimed,  with  marked  dissatisfaction, 
"  I  am  the  worst  lodged  sovereign  in  Europe.  No 
one  thinks  of  admitting  the  populace  into  one's  very 
palace  !"  In  this  ill-humour  he  encountered  Madame 
Lavalett$  and  her  unfortunate  robe.  Giving  the 
train  of  the  plain  muslin  gown  a  kick  with  his  foot, 
he  addressed  the  wearer,  "  Now  fy  upon  it,  madam, 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  273 

what  a  dress  is  that !  You  show  the  worst  possible 
taste!"  The  truth  is,  Josephine  thought  so  too; 
she  always  insisted  on  choosing  her  own  dresses, 
and  Madame  Lavalette  was  soon  afterward  super- 
seded in  her  office  of  dame  (Valours.  As  the  evening 
advanced,  the  court  adjourned  to  a  balcony  to  enjoy 
more  pleasantly  the  military  music  of  a  band  stationed 
in  the  gardens  below.  Suddenly,  in  the  middle  of  the 
concert,  the  emperor  conceived  a  fancy  to  view  the 
statues  in  the  gallery  of  the  Louvre  by  torchlight, 
and  giving  his  arm  to  Josephine,  proceeded  through 
the  gallery,  attended  by  Baron  Denon,  the  keeper, 
and  followed  by  the  whole  brilliant  assemblage. 
The  effect  must  have  been  beautiful  indeed;  but 
Napoleon's  attention  rested  chiefly  upon  the  famous 
bust  of  Alexander, — the  work  of  Praxiteles.  Before 
this  admirable  work  of  art  he  stood  for  some  time ; 
but  only  to  criticise.  "  Look  at  that  head :  fine  as 
it  certainly  is,  it  must  be  wrong ;  observe  how  large 
the  features;  they  are  out  of  all  proportion;  for 
Alexander  was  a  smaller  man  than  I — much  smaller." 
This  latter  remark  he  repeated  more  than  once, 
seemingly  delighted  at  the  idea,  that,  though  only 
five  feet  two,  he  was  taller  than  the  conqueror  of 
Darius !  So  nearly  is  human  greatness  associated 
to  the  most  inconceivable  littleness. 

Towards  the  end  of  July,  Josephine  set  out  on  her 
tour,  and  Napoleon  on  the  same  day  departed  for 
Boulogne ;  it  being  arranged  that  they  should  meet 
at  Aix  la  Chapelle.  The  frequent  excursions  made 
by  the  court  formed  a  principal  class  of  events  in 
Josephine's  life,  as  empress ;  they  constituted  those 
alternations  which  afforded  her  most  pleasure :  an 
outline  of  the  present,  therefore,  one  of  the  longest 
and  not  least  interesting,  and  of  which  we  have  a 
daily  journal  kept  by  one  of  her  attendant  ladies, 
may  prove  acceptable,  as  exhibiting  a  picture  of  all. 
While  any  of  these  imperial  journeys  was  in 
contemplation,  no  one  knew  exactly  the  hour  of 


274  MEMOIRS  or 


departure,  or  even  the  route  to  be  followed.  Every 
thing-,  indeed,  down  to  the  most  minute  circumstance, 
had  been  previously  and  unalterably  determined,  but 
nothing  was  communicated  till  the  moment  when  it 
became  absolutely  necessary  to  issue  orders.  It 
generally  happened,  after  an  opera,  a  review,  recep- 
tion, or  any  event  which  had  collected  a  number  of 
people,  that  Napoleon,  on  retiring  for  the  night, 
would  say,  in  a  careless  mood,  "  We  set  out  at  such 
an  hour,"  usually  an  early  one,  and  instantly  direc- 
tions were  transmitted  to  those  in  waiting.  Against 
the  appointed  hour,  rarely  by  any  chance  exceeded, 
every  preparation  had  been  completed,  and  the  im- 
perial travellers  departed.  The  object  of  this  secrecy, 
namely,  to  prevent  conspiracies  against  his  life,  by 
first  collecting  at  court  those  whom  he  might  have 
to  fear  among  his  own  partisans,  and  next  retaining 
in  uncertainty  distant  enemies,  was  certainly  at- 
tained, but  at  considerable  expense  of  comfort  and 
convenience.  The  night  previous  to  a  departure, 
scarcely  an  eye  was  closed  in  the  palace  ;  most  of 
those  who  held  offices  near  the  person  of  the  em- 
peror or  empress,  and  who  were  named  to  attend 
them,  could  hardly  of  course  retire  to  rest,  being 
busied  in  preparation ;  while  others  might  "  go  to 
bed,  but  not  to  sleep,"  such  was  the  noise  of  trunks 
and  carriages,  domestics  and  guards  assembling. — 
In  the  next  place,  the  useless  expenditure  was  con- 
siderable; from  the  moment  an  imperial  progress 
was  talked  of,  it  behooved  to  send  out,  on  diverse 
roads,  the  requisite  necessaries  and  attendants, 
where  they  remained  for  weeks,  frequently  for  a 
month ;  and  were  only  called  in  after  it  had  been 
decided  by  his  departure  in  what  direction  the  em- 
peror would  travel. 

Nothing  could  be  more  melancholy  than  the  aspect 
of  the  palace,  lately  so  brilliant,  after  the  departure 
of  the  emperor.  But  in  this  general  expression  o* 
desolateness  might  be  remarked  a  distinct  character, 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  275 

according  with  the  cause  of  absence.  If  Napoleon 
had  gone  on  a  tour  of  pleasure,  a  figure  might  be 
perceived  here  and  there  stealing  about,  engaged 
in  the  quiet  duties  of  official  attendance,  or  preparing 
to  enjoy  the  master's  absence  in  a  brief  interval  of 
liberty,  beyond  the  imprisoned  atmosphere  of  a  court. 
If  he  had  departed  on  a  warlike  expedition,  the  court 
still  boasted  its  female  ornaments ;  but  its  gayety 
had  fled.  Next  morning,  ladies  only  were  seen 
gliding  about  like  spectres,  pale  with  watching  and 
weeping  over  their  separation  from  brothers,  fathers, 
husbands,  and  sons.  Every  day  augmented  the  sad- 
ness, for  as  these  loved  relatives  approached  the 
scene  of  conflict,  each  feared  to  accost  her  com- 
panion, lest  she  might  impart  or  obtain  the  mourn- 
ful intelligence  too  certainly  awaiting  some.  No 
wonder,  then,  setting  apart  her  affection,  that  Jose- 
phine on  all  occasions  evinced  so  strong  a  desire  to 
be  permitted  to  accompany  her  husband.  On  his 
part,  Napoleon  loved  to  indulge  this  wish ;  and  they 
differed  only  as  to  its  being  always  possible.  On 
one  occasion,  however,  after  promising  to  take  the 
empress,  something  having  occurred  to  alter  his  in- 
tention, and  to  require  speed,  he  resolved  on  depart- 
ing privately,  without  his  companion.  Fixing,  ac- 
cordingly, one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  hour 
when  she  was  most  likely  to  be  asleep,  for  the  time 
of  setting  out,  he  was  just  about  to  step  into  the 
carriage,  when  Josephine,  in  most  piteous  plight, 
threw  herself  into  his  arms.  By  some  means  she 
had  obtained  information  of  what  was  going  forward, 
and  called  her  women ;  but,  impatient  of  any  delay, 
had  got  up  without  waiting  for  them,  and  throwing 
about  her  the  first  drapery  she  could  lay  hands  upon, 
had  rushed  down-stairs,  in  slippers,  without  stockings, 
"weeping,"  as  our  authority,  an  eyewitness,  ex- 
presses it,  "  like  a  little  girl  when  the  holydays  are 
over."  A  moment  later,  and  Napoleon  would  have 
been  off  like  lightning,  but  he  could  rarely  withstand 


276  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  tears  of  his  wife,  so,  placing  her  along  the  bottom 
of  the  carriage,  he  covered  her  with  his  travelling 
pelisse,  giving  orders  himself  about  the  clothes  and 
proper  attendants  of  the  empress. 

When  Josephine,  as  in  the  instance  we  are  now 
describing,  journeyed  alone,  which  was  not  often, 
her  retinue  consisted  of  the  first  lady  of  the  court, 
la  dame  d'honneur,  who  was  her  ancient  friend, 
Madame  >a  Comtesse  de  Rochefoucauld,  four  ladies 
in  waiting,  a  grand  chamberlain  and  chamberlain,  a 
grand  equery,  an  equery,  a  secretary ;  making,  with 
the  commandant  of  the  escort,  and  a  chevalier  d'hon- 
neur, a  suite  of  twelve  persons.  The  court  was  of 
course  still  more  numerous  when  united,  and  the 
consequent  attendants  and  luggage  chiefly  prevented 
Napoleon  from  always  taking  the  empress  with  him^ 
"  I  could  sooner,"  he  would  say, "  transport  the  whole 
artillery  of  a  division  of  my  grand  army,  than  the 
bandboxes  of  Josephine's  waiting-women."  Every 
ciicumstance  had  been  unalterably  fixed  in  advance, 
the  places  where  the  empress  was  to  stop,  the  routes 
to  be  followed,  where  she  ought  to  address  the 
authorities,  or  the  reply  she  was  to  make  to  their 
harangues ;  the  expenses  were  fixed,  the  very  pres- 
ents she  was  to  give  portioned  out  by  express  regu- 
lation. All  this  was  set  down  in  a  huge  manuscript 
volume,  from  which  poor  Josephine  daily  conned  her 
lesson  previously  to  every  removal  or  ceremony. — 
In  this  "  bondage  of  the  spirit,"  however,  she  enjoyed 
an  advantage  over  most  others,  had  they  been  placed 
in  her  situation ;  if,  in  the  multitude  of  these  details, 
any  thing  escaped  her  memory,  or  required  extem- 
poraneous modification  according  to  circumstances, 
her  unpremeditated  answers  or  arrangements  were 
always  delivered  with  so  much  eloquence  and  pro- 
priety, or  marked  such  perfect  kindness  and  con- 
descension, that  all  parties  were  satisfied.  Every 
evidence  on  this  particular  subject  bears,  that  here 
she  infinitely  surpassed  her  successor,  Avith  whom  she 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  277 

is  most  naturally  compared :  sometimes,  however, 
though  very  rarely,  a  little  mistake  was  committed, 
as,  on  the  present  journey,  when  departing  from 
Rheims,  Josephine  presented  the  mayoress  with  a 
medallion  of  malakite,  set  with  diamonds,  using  the 
singular  expression,  "  it  is  the  colour  of  hope." — 
Some  days  afterward,  on  seeing  this  absurdity  in 
one  of  the  journals,*  she  could  not  believe  having 
made  use  of  it,  and  despatched  a  courier  instantly  to 
Napoleon,  at  Boulogne,  fearing  his  displeasure  above 
all  things.  This  occasioned  the  famous  mandate 
prohibiting  all  journalists  from  reporting  any  speech 
of  the  emperor  or  empress  unless  the  same  had  pre- 
viously appeared  in  the  Moniteur. 

Down  to  the  most  minute  particulars,  Josephine 
adhered  to  her  manuscript  instructions,  as  respected 
her  own  accommodations,  with  a  scrupulosity  that 
allowed  nothing  to  be  altered.  "  He  has  said  it,  and 
it  must  be  right,'1  was  the  constant  observation  with 
which  she  silenced  all  suggestions  of  change.  On 
the  present  journey,  for  example,  the  emperor  had 
appointed  the  route  to  Liege  by  a  road  through  the 
forest  of  Ardennes.  The  construction  of  such  a 
road  had  actually  been  ordered ;  but  as  yet  existed 
only  in  his  own  pencil-mark  on  Josephine's  travelling 
map,  and  in  the  merest  preliminary  operations  of  the 
engineer.  The  relays,  as  a  matter  of  precaution, 
had  been  placed  along  the  projected  traverse ;  but 
it  was  represented  that  her  majesty  could  not  pos- 
sibly attempt  to  pass.  "  We  can  at  least  try,"  said 
she  to  her  little  court ;  and  pass  they  certainly  did, 
but  with  the  greatest  difficulty,  and  even  danger. — 
In  many  places,  the  country  people  and  workmen 
had  to  support  the  carriages  with  ropes  and  poles  to 
prevent  an  overset ;  on  which  occasions,  though  in 
the  midst  of  a  heavy  rain,  Josephine  alighted,  and 
walked  on  foot,  ankle  deep  in  mud  and  water.  All 

*  LaPubliciste. 

Aa 


278  MEMOIRS    OF 

this  was  endured,  on  her  part,  with  the  greatest 
cheerfulness— not  so  on  that  of  her  inferior  attend- 
ants :  thus  the  carriage  of  the  first  femrne-de- 
chambre  was  actually  overturned,  and  though  her 
imperial  mistress  left  a  party  of  her  own  escort  to 
attend,  and  otherwise  bestowed  every  possible  care 
upon  the  distressed  serving-woman,  nothing  would 
satisfy  the  latter  short  of  the  whole  court  being  de- 
tained by  her  mishap :  and  next  day,  on  rejoining 
the  circle,  pouted  sadly  on  this  account.  In  fact, 
Josephine's  perfect,  or  here,  more  properly  speaking, 
excessive  good-nature,  exposed  her  to  much  vexation 
from  the  pretensions  of  her  attendants.  Each,  in- 
deed, displayed  the  utmost  zeal  in  her  service  ;  but, 
among  themselves,  all  had  different  interests,  jeal- 
ousies, and  rights,  clashing  with  those  of  their  fellows, 
which,  coming  in  the  shape  of  complaints,  the  em- 
press, by  endeavouring  to  reconcile,  instead  of  in- 
stantly repressing,  only  made  worse.  Matters  at 
length  attained  such  a  pass,  during  the  present  jour- 
ney, that  Madame  Rochefoucauld  so  lectured  the  em- 
press on  this  weak  condescension,  as  to  leave  her 
in  tears.  Time  rendered  Josephine  more  cautious  ; 
but,  from  the  same  facility  of  character,  a  similai 
disorder  continued  more  or  less  to  prevail. 

During  an  excursion,  nothing  could  be  more  ami- 
able than  the  conduct  of  Josephine  towards  the  ladies 
of  her  court ;  she  seemed  to  study  opportunities  of 
showing  those  attentions  to  their  feelings  and  tastes 
which  cost  so  little,  and  yet  go  so  far  in  winning  a 
way  to  the  heart.  Being  always  attended  by  persons 
well  acquainted  with  the  country,  and  ever  anxious 
to  glean  information, — for,  as  has  been  well,  though 
somewhat  maliciously,  observed,  what  she  knew 
was  chiefly  from  conversation, — her  discourse,  while 
travelling,  turned  almost  entirely  upon  the  scenes 
through  which  they  were  passing.  When  a  remark 
thus  occurred  more  than  usually  instructive  or 
amusing,  especially  if  connected  with  the  families 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  279 

of  any  of  her  ladies  or  their  past  fortunes,  she  never 
failed  to  send  information  of  the  same  by  a  special 
messenger,  who  had  instructions  to  point  out  the 
particular  place,  and  to  relate  the  circumstances. — 
All  this  kindness  received  an  additional  charm  from 
the  unostentatious  simplicity  with  which  it  was 
offered  ;  every  thing  passed  as  if  among  a  party  of 
equals  on  an  excursion  of  pleasure,  each  bound  to 
supply  a  modicum  to  the  common  fund  of  enjoyment. 
Every  thing  like  vain  etiquette  was  laid  aside ;  even 
external  forms  were  dispensed  with,  whenever  it 
appeared  they  could  be  omitted  with  propriety.  Of 
this  a  curious  instance  occurred  some  time  after 
the  arrival  of  the  empress  at  Aix  la  Chapelle,  where 
she  was  to  remain  to  take  the  baths.  One  evening 
when  her  ladies  seemed  to  be  more  than  usually 
under  the  influence  of  ennui,  Josephine  kindly  set 
on  foot  inquiries  whether  there  might  not  be  sorc^ 
novelty  which  they  had  not  yet  seen.  Information 
was  brought  of  a  wonderful  model  of  Paris,  which 
the  court  had  not  yet  visited.  Josephine  proposed 
immediately  to  rectify  this  omission;  her  ladies 
were  of  the  same  mind,  and  M.  d'Harville,  the  cheva- 
lier d'honneur,  was  about  to  issue  the  necessary 
orders  for  the  imperial  carriages  and  cortege : 
'*  Softly,  my  good  sir ;  suffer  us  for  once  to  prove 
our  own  locomotive  powers,  and  trust  to  the  humane 
dispositions  of  the  good  citizens  of  Aix  la  Chapelle." 
— "Walk  on  foot — your  majesty  walk  on  foot! — 
impossible  !"  and  the  chevalier  d'honneur  manifested 
all  the  necessary  horror  at  such  a  breach  of  imperial 
decorum.  "  Walk  on  foot !  delightful !"  cried  the 
ladies ;  and,  as  usual,  the  ladies  had  their  own  way. 
This  movement  being  totally  unexpected,  the  streets 
were  almost  clear,  and  the  party  reached  their  des- 
tination unmolested;  but  the  intelligence  having 
quickly  spread,  they  found,  on  attempting  to  return, 
that  the  town  was  illuminated,  and  every  street 
Jtonged  with  multitudes.  The  ladies  drew  back 


280  MEMOIRS   OF 

from  encountering  such  a  passage,  and  it  was  pro- 
posed to  send  for  the  carriages  and  escort.  Jose- 
phine would  not  hear  of  this :  "  Were  any  accident 
thus  to  happen  to  the  people  whom  our  imprudence 
has  assembled,  I  never  could  forgive  myself;"  and 
giving  her  hand  to  the  Count  d'Harville,  she  boldly 
ventured  among  the  crowd,  followed  by  her  ladies, 
each  similarly  attended  by  a  nobleman  of  the  court. 
The  populace  respectfully  made  way ;  and  though 
the  plumes  and  diamonds  of  the  courtiers  formed  a 
strange  contrast  with  the  accessories  of  a  mob, 
Josephine  reached  her  residence  without  the  slightest 
annoyance.  Once  more  in  the  saloon,  with  the 
members  of  her  little  court,  she  thanked  M.  d'Har- 
ville, and  frankly  confessed,  that,  in  not  following 
his  advice  in  the  first  instance,  she  had  committed  a 
folly,  which,  though  perfectly  harmless  in  itself, 
might  have  been  attended  with  serious  consequences. 
When  Josephkie  travelled  alone,  she  often  break- 
fasted according  to  circumstances,  sometimes  in  the 
open  air,  under  the  shade  of  a  tree,  or  in  a  station 
overlooking  a  fine  prospect,  and  always  without 
ceremony.  At  dinner,  the  ladies  and  grand  officers 
of  the  court  sat  down  to  table  with  the  empress ; 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  escort,  the  colonel  of 
the  guard  of  honour  appointed  in  all  the  cities  where 
the  court  remained,  and  the  prefect  of  the  depart- 
ment had  likewise  regularly  invitations.  Occasional 
guests  depended  on  circumstances,  but  officers  of  such 
rank  or  merit  as  authorized  that  distinction  always 
received  invitations,  and  to  these,  especially  if  old 
in  the  sendee,  Josephine  showed  herself  particularly 
attentive.  On  the  present  journey,  however,  even 
this  condescension  was  turned  against  her.  An  old 
and  infirm  officer  of  rank  had  been  introduced,  and, 
unaccustomed  to  the  usages  of  a  court,  had  sat  down 
in  the  drawing-room  on  the  same  sofa  beside  the 
empress.  Josephine  was  too  good-natured  to  hurt 
'foe  feelings  of  a  brave  veteran  by  reminding  him  of 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE,  281 

the  impropriety  of  such  a  situation,  and  of  course 
no  one  else  presuming  to  do  so,  this  trifling  affair 
seemed  to  have  passed  without  remark.  Not  so : 
in  the  secret  report  transmitted  to  Napoleon,  by 
those  who  were  no  friends  to  the  empress,  the  matter 
was  not  only  detailed,  but,  for  evident  reasons,  placed 
to  the  account  of  General  Lorges,  the  young  and 
handsome  commandant  at  Aix  la  Chapelle.  Napo- 
leon stormed ;  Josephine,  without  condescending  to 
understand  the  covert  insinuation  of  the  charge, 
mildly, stated  the  facts,  and  fortunately  they  had 
been  observed  by  others. 

Napoleon  rejoined  the  empress  on  the  19th  of 
August.  "  He  is  arrived,"  thus  writes  the  journalist, 
"  and  with  him  espionage ;  the  anxieties  and  sus- 
picions which  form  his  constant  attendants  have 
already  banished  the  gayety  and  freedom  of  our  little 
circle.  His  return  has  already  proved,  that  of  us 
twelve  appointed  to  constitute  her  honourable  suite, 
one  plays  the  part  of  a  spy  on  the  empress.  Napoleon, 
on  arriving,  showed  that  he  was  perfectly  acquainted 
with  all  our  movements ;  and  we  discovered,  too, 
that  the  best  construction  had  not  always  been  put 
on  our  actions."  Upon  this  occasion  came  to  light 
the  story  of  the  old  officer  just  related,  as  a  single 
i  istance  of  the  numerous  accusations  of  a  similar 
nature  to  which  the  empress  was  exposed.  In  such 
cases,  the  very  simplicity  of  Josephine's  character 
supplied  her  best  safeguard.  Instead  of  a  clamorous 
defence  or  vindication,  her  practice  was  to  give  the 
simple  facts,  leaving  these  to  make  their  own  way ; 
the  subsequent  inquiries  instituted  by  Napoleon 
rarely  failed  to  corroborate  these,  and  his  own  feel- 
ings did  justice  to  his  wife.  He  was  always  kindest 
after  one  of  these  causeless  outbreakings,  as  if  his 
heart  smote  him  for  offending  against  so  much  gen- 
tleness. 

But  if,  after  the  emperor's  arrival,  the  court  lost 
gome  of  its  happy  freedom  from  suspicion  and  re- 


282  MEMOIRS    OP 

straint,  it  gained  much  in  brilliancy,— the  princes  of 
the  Rhenish  Confederation  hastening  in  crowds  to 
pay  homage  to  the  new  sovereign  so  soon  to  be  their 
protector.  The  pageants*  however,  and  presenta- 
tions consequent  upon  these  occasions,  as  exhibiting 
little  that  is  characteristic  in  our  present  subject, 
may  be  omitted*  The  imperial  travellers  remained 
together  for  some  time  at  the  waters,  and  afterward 
passed  by  Cologne  and  Mayence  to  Paris.  The 
attendance  of  the  German  princes  was  particularly 
numerous  at  the  two  former  places.  Before  quitting 
Aix  la  Chapelle  a  little  incident  occurred  to  Jose- 
phine, which  might  be  considered  curious  were  not 
contrivance  too  obviously  visible.  In  the  cathedral 
of  that  city  are  preserved  the  relics  which  were 
presented  to  Charlemagne  by  the  Empress  Irene. — 
These  precious  antiquities  are  deposited  in  an  iron 
cabinet  which  is  built  into  the  wall,  and  are  exhibited 
only  once  in  seven  years.  The  septennial  era  had 
not  yet  arrived,  but  an  imperial  request  appeared 
sufficient  reason  for  a  change  in  the  calendar, — the 
wall  was  pulled  down,  and  the  treasures,  such  as  they 
were,  exposed.  Among  other  articles  was  a  small 
coffer  of  gilt  silver,  which  attracted  particular  atten- 
tion from  the  statement  of  the  priests,  that,  by  a 
most  ancient  tradition,  grandeur  and  happiness  were 
predicted  to  the  person  who  should  open  it,  but  that 
hitherto  every  one  had  failed  in  the  attempt.  Jose- 
phine, whose  curiosity  was  excited,  took  the  coffer 
in  her  hand,  and  almost  immediately  after  it  flew 
open.  This  was  considered  as  very  extraordinary, 
for  no  traces  of  a  lock  or  spring  could  be  discovered, 
and,  when  the  box  was  again  shut,  it  could  be  opened 
by  no  one  else.  There  can  be  little  doubt,  however, 
that  the  whole  was  a  contrivance  of  the  priests ; 
and  Josephine  herself,  much  as  she  has  been  ac- 
cused of  superstition,  attached  no  more  importance 
to  the  circumstance  than  it  deserved. 
At  Coblentz  Napoleon  and  Josephine  again  sepa- 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  283 

rated,  the  former  to  reach  Mayence  by  a  new  road 
which  he  had  caused  to  be  constructed  along  the 
bank  of  the  Rhine,  the  latter  to  ascend  the  river  by 
water.  The  voyage  should  have  terminated  by 
eleven  o'clock  of  the  second  day,  but  the  two  yachts 
which  carried  the  empress  and  her  suite  encountered 
a  severe  storm  near  Bingen,  where  they  put  up  for 
the  night,  and  on  starting  next  day  some  confusion 
arose  in  the  relays  stationed  to  drag  the  flotilla 
against  the  stream.  This,  with  Josephine's  indispo- 
sition, caused  a  delay  of  four  hours,  and  she  arrived 
at  Mayence  only  at  three  o'clock.  This  was  pre- 
cisely the  hour  which  the  emperor  had  appointed 
for  his  own  entree,  and  the  inhabitants  were  thus 
reduced  to  choose  between  whom  they  would  attend. 
The  empress  obtained  "  their  most  sweet  voices ;" 
and  while  the  ramparts  and  quays  overlooking  the 
Rhine,  crowded  with  an  eager  population,  resounded 
with  acclamations  of  "  Long  live  the  empress !"  her 
lord  was  left  to  traverse  empty  streets,  where  the 
houses,  shut  up  and  deserted,  sent  forth  not  a  single 
voice  to  say  "  God  bless  him !"  In  this  guise  his 
carriage  arrived  in  the  court  of  the  palace,  at  the  same 
instant  Josephine  appeared  at  the  opposite  entrance, 
surrounded  by  the  authorities,  and  accompanied  seem- 
ingly by  all  of  man,  woman,  and  child  contained 
in  Mayence.  This  was  beyond  endurance — at  least 
beyond  Napoleon's  ;  so  giving  one  short  pettish  nod, 
he  turned  on  his  heel  and  shut  himself  up  in  his 
apartment.  The  court  was  informed  that  the  em- 
peror and  empress  would  dine  alone.  Seven,  the 
usual  hour — eight — nine  o'clock  passed,  and  no  in- 
vitation to  the  wonderstruck  courtiers  to  rejoin  the 
circle  in  the  drawing-room.  At  length  the  sum- 
mons arrived ;  but,  on  entering,  they  found  nobody. 
A  few  minutes  after  they  beheld  Napoleon  leave 
Josephine's  apartments  and  retire  to  his  own, 
favouring  them  with  his  usual  curt  salutation  of  ill- 
humour  as  he  crossed  the  saloon.  The  first  lady  of 


284  MEMOIRS    OF 

honour  then  entered  to  Josephine.  She  was  in 
tears,  and  extremely  unwell.  She  had  endured  for 
hours  a  scene  of  violence  and  outrage,  Bonaparte 
accusing  her  of  having  intentionally  retarded  her 
arrival  in  order  to  interfere  with  his  entrance,  re- 
proaching her  with  a  systematic  design  of  captivating 
the  suffrages  of  the  public.  Could  any  proceeding 
be  more  cruel,  mean,  or  unreasonable  ? 

This  happened  on  the  14th  of  September.  On  the 
16th  was  to  be  a  grand  reception  of  the  German 
princes,  and  among  them  those  of  the  house  of  Ba- 
den, who  afterward  became  relations  of  the  em- 
press, by  the  marriage  of  her  niece,  Stephanie  de 
Beauharnais,  with  the  hereditary  prince,  at  this  time 
a  youth  of  some  twenty  years.  On  the  same  oc- 
casion she  encountered  also  the  sister  of  the  same 
house,  the  young  Princess  of  Baden,  the  rival  pro- 
posed by  Talleyrand.  Never  was  a  triumph  more 
complete.  The  courtiers  had  expected  with  impa- 
tience this  princess,  of  whose  boasted  charms  they 
had  heard  so  much.  Their  astonishment  may  be  con- 
ceived on  comparing  a  rude,  ungainly  girl  with  their 
elegant  and  accomplished  mistress.  They  could  per- 
ceive, too,  that  the  contrast  was  not  lost  on  Napoleon ; 
and  never  did  Josephine  show  more  of  grace  and 
winning  condescension  than  in  the  reception  of  the 
Princess  of  Baden.  "  It  is  so  easy,"  remarks  a  lady 
of  the  court,  "  to  be  kind  when  one  is  happy — to  be 
condescending  when  one  is  superior."  The  occa- 
sion, however,  was  not  without  its  chagrins  to 
Josephine ;  and,  but  for  her  own  firmness,  might 
have  ended  in  a  marked  slight  upon  her  beloved 
Eugene,  who  had  attended  his  father-in-law  from 
Boulogne.  On  receiving  the  programme  of  the  order 
for  the  presentations,  she  found  Eugene's  name 
omitted,  and,  quite  naturally,  spoke  to  her  husband 
on  this  subject.  Napoleon,  though  really  attached 
to  young  Beauharnais,  yet,  piqued  at  being  in  fault 
as  to  a  poiu  of  etiquette,  persisted  in  the  exclusion  . 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  285 

Josephine,  so  passive  to  his  will  where  her  own  in- 
terests or  feelings  were  the  sacrifice,  was  not  to  be 
moved  when  those  of  her  children  depended  on  her 
resolution :  "  I  did  not  weep,"  said  she  to  Napoleon, 
alluding  to  the  importunities  of  his  misters,  "  to  be 
made  a  princess ;  but,  while  I  am  one,  mine  shall  be 
treated  as  the  son  of  an  empress.*'  She  kept  her 
word ;  and,  notwithstanding  some  manoeuvring  on 
the  part  of  Talleyrand,  to  whom  the  original  slight 
is  perhaps  to  be  attributed,  did  actually  herself  pre- 
sent Eugene.  But  she  had  not  finished  with  the 
Princesses  of  Baden.  Next  evening,  on  taking  them 
with  her  to  the  opera,  the  empress  observed  that 
they  had  come  without  shawls,  and  with  her  usual 
good-nature  put  one  of  her  own  round  each.  The 
day  following,  after  taking  leave,  the  elder  princess 
gent  a  note,  couched  in  flattering  terms,  that  they 
would  keep  the  shawls  in  remembrance  of  her. 
Josephine  was  but  half-reconciled.  The  shawls 
were  two  of  her  white  cashmeres. 

These  were  mortifications ;  but,  generally  speak- 
ing, Napoleon,  save  on  a  day  of  battle,  was  never  in 
better  humour,  or  rendered  others  around  him  more 
happy,  than  when  on  a  journey.  Of  the  present 
Josephine  always  made  mention  as  one  of  the  most 
agreeable  excursions  they  ever  made  together.  The 
early  mornings,  where  required,  the  emperor  passed 
in  reviewing  the  troops  stationed  along  his  route. 
On  this  subject,  the  following  passage  from  the 
journal  is  worth  extracting: — "One  thing  I  had 
formerly  remarked,  but  more  particularly  during  the 
present  journey,  namely,  the  mistake  under  which 
the  world  laboured  respecting  Napoleon.  The  vul- 
gar belief  is,  that  he  almost  never  sleeps,  and  works 
constantly  •,  but  I  see  that  if  he  rise  early  to  inspect 
his  regiments,  he  takes  good  care  to  make  up  for  it 
at  night.  Yesterday,  for  instance,  he  got  on  horse- 
back exactly  at  five  for  a  review,  but  in  the  evening 
he  retired  at  nine,  and  Josephine  told  us  he  had 


286  MEMOIRS    OF 

gone  to  bed.  As  to  his  immoderate  use  of  coffee, 
again,  in  order  to  keep  off  sleep, — he  takes  one  cup 
after  breakfast,  and  another  after  dinner.  But  it  is 
ever  thus  with  the  public:  when  an  individual, 
placed  in  fortunate  circumstances,  is  enabled  to  ac- 
complish great  things,  mankind  instantly  convert 
these  into  marvels,  and  place  them  to  the  account 
of  genius." 

When  nothing  serious,  as  a  review,  or  a  reception 
of  the  municipal  authorities,  engaged  the  mornings, 
breakfast  was  often  served  in  the  open  air,  fre- 
quently at  a  distance,  in  some  verdant  spot  on  the 
banks,  or  on  some  of  the  numerous  islands  of  the 
Rhine.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  while  at  break- 
fast on  an  island  near  Mayence,  Napoleon  observed 
a  poor  woman  looking  wistfully  upon  a  spectacle 
which  must  have  appeared  to  her  so  new  and  splen- 
did. Calling  one  of  the  attendants  who  spoke  Ger- 
man, he  desired  the  woman  to  be  brought  near,  and 
asked,  "If  she  had  ever  dreamed  she  was  rich?" 
After  considerable  difficulty  in  comprehending  the 
question,  she  replied,  "  I  have  often  thought  that  the 
person  who  possessed  five  hundred  florins  would  be 
the  richest  in  the  world."* — "  Her  dream  is  a  little 
too  dear,"  said  the  emperor ;  "  but  it  matters  not — - 
we  must  realize  it;"  so,  collecting  all  the  money 
among  the  courtiers,  the  sum  was  counted  to  the 
poor  woman,  who  almost  lost  her  wits  at  the  sight 
of  so  much  gold.  "  I  looked  at  the  emperor,"  says 
our  authority,  "  deeming  that  he  must  be  happy  in 
the  power  of  bestowing  happiness ;  but  no— his 
countenance  expressed  only  displeasure."- — "  I  have 
twice,"  said  he,  "  asked  the  same  question ;  but  the 
dreams  upon  these  occasions  were  more  moderate, 
« — this  honest  woman  is  ambitious."  The  same 

*  Fifty-four  pounds  five  shillings  and  fourpence  sterling.  The  florin 
»t  Mayence  is  two  shillings  and  fourpence,  but  it  varies  from  two  shil» 
lings  to  one  shilling  and  sixpence.  Originally  it  was  an  Italian  coin, 
though  now  exclusively  used  in  Germany  and  the  Netherlands. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  287 

morning,  after  break  fast,  Josephine,  accompanied  by 
only  one  of  her  ladies  and  two  attendants,  while 
walking  round  the  island,  found  a  woman  seated  on 
the  ground,  suckling  her  child.  Though,  from  her 
habiliments,  it  was  easy  to  perceive  that  the  mother 
belonged  to  the  humblest  rank  of  peasantry,  she  yet 
seemed  happy  and  contented.  Josephine  stopped, 
took  the  child  in  her  arms,  and,  with  her  caresses, 
a.  tear  of  tenderness,  perhaps  of  regret,  fell  upon  its 
innocent  countenance.  The  infant  held  up  its  little 
hands,  and  smiled  upon  the  empress.  Her  emotion 
was  very  evident;  and,  privately  placing  in  the 
mother's  hand  five  twenty-franc  pieces,  the  whole 
contents  of  her  purse,  she  silently  turned  away,  amid 
grateful  benedictions.  On  returning  from  a  scene 
where  his  ostentation  had  thus  been  placed  in  un- 
favourable contrast  with  Josephine's  unpretending 
beneficence,  Napoleon  talked  a  great  deal  on  the 
relative  condition  of  mankind,  and  on  this  occasion 
gave  his  famous,  but  somewhat  incomprehensible, 
definition  of  happiness  in  the  following  terms: — 
"  There  is  no  such  thing  as  happiness  or  misery  in 
the  world ;  the  sole  distinction  is,  that  the  life  of  the 
happy  man  is  a  picture  with  a  silver  ground,  studded 
with  stars  of  jet ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  life 
of  the  unfortunate  man  is  a  dark  ground  with  a  few 
stars  of  silver." 

Another  occupation  of  the  morning,  more  fre- 
quently attended  to  than  any  other  during  these  ex- 
cursions, was  the  reception  of  the  constituted  author- 
ities of  the  cities  and  departments  through  which 
the  court  passed. .  For  this  duty  Napoleon  prepared 
with  great  diligence.  A  statistic  of  the  whole  of 
France,  drawn  up  separately  and  privately  by  natives 
of  the  respective  places,  had  been  transmitted  di- 
rectly to  himself.  These  reports  he  preserved  for 
his  own  private  use ;  thence  he  knew  perfectly  the 
state  of  any  portion  of  his  empire,  and  took  care 
previously  to  -consider  the  particulars  upon  which  it 


288  MEMOIRS   07 

was  the  intention  to  examine  its  magistrates."  By 
these  means,  chiefly,  he  contrived  to  acquire  and 
maintain  the  reputation  for  almost  universal  know- 
ledge, which  he  certainly  enjoyed.  Often,  for  in- 
stance, would  the  magistrates,  after  one  of  these 
audiences,  proclaim  his  praises  in  terms  like  the  fol- 
lowing :  "  What  a  man  ! — how  profound  his  know- 
ledge ! — no  particular  escapes  him  ! — how  universal 
his  genius  !  Why,  this  remote  department  is  as  well 
known  to  him  as  if  he  had  been  born  among  us !" 
Doubtless,  had  the  mode  of  acquisition  been  divulged, 
the  admiration  would  have  been  diminished ;  but  we 
question  whether  either  its  merit  or  utility  would 
have  been  lessened.  The  views  of  the  sovereign 
were  thus  kept  abreast  of  the  flow  of  national  pros- 
perity, and  inferior  agents  constrained  to  an  under- 
standing of  their  functions ;  for  if  not  answering 
correctly  and  aptly,  they  were  dismissed,  as  hap- 
pened in  more  than  one  instance  during  the  present 
excursion. 

The  evenings,  during  a  tour,  were  reserved  en- 
tirely for  amusement  and  conversation.  Of  this 
latter,  when  in  good-humour,  Napoleon  supported 
the  principal  part ;  and,  if  we  may  believe  Josephine, 
he  conversed  delightfully.  Sometimes  he  would 
discuss  a  metaphysical  question  with  Cambaceres,  a 
great  adept  in  ethical  science,  but  with  whom,  from 
the  latter's  admiration  of  Kant,  he  seldom  agreed* 
Much  more  frequently,  however,  he  addressed  his 
discourse  to  the  members  of  the  court  generally, 
assembled  in  the  saloon.  .At  such  times,  half- 
recumbent  on  a  sofa,  with  one  foot  resting  on  the 
floor,  the  other  swinging  to  and  fro,  he  would  usually 
take  for  the  subject  one  of  the  fine  arts,  especially 
music  or  painting;  but  a  very  common,  and  with 
him  apparently  a  favourite,  theme  was  love.  So  far 
as  he  was  accustomed  to  illustrate  his  remarks  by 
real  anecdotes,  or  by  fictitious  narratives,  he  pos- 
sessed complete  mastery  over  the  feelings  and  at- 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  289 

tention  of  his  hearers ;  then  his  recital  became  beau- 
tiful and  powerful  acting,  in  expression,  gesture,  lan- 
guage equalling  the  finest  exhibitions  of  the  drama.  . 
The  tale  of  Julio,  as  found  in  Bourrienne,*  which 
was  actually  recited  during  the  present  excursion, 
may  serve"  to  remind  the  reader  of  the  power  of  these 
extemporaneous  illustrations.  In  simplicity  and 
tenderness  of  natural  sentiment,  however,  Napo- 
leon's views  of  the  "  great  passion"  were  extremely 
defective ;  the  delicacy  and  nobleness  of  the  female 
character  he,  in  fact,  never  appreciated,  and  appears 
not  to  have  understood.  "  There  are,"  said  Jose- 
phine, with  great  simplicity,  "  perhaps  five  or  six 
days  in  the  year  when  woman  may  obtain  some  in- 
fluence over  him  ;  but  his  opinion  of  our  sex  gene- 
rally is  extremely  unfavourable."  As  the  evening 
advanced — for  he  delighted  to  converse  in  the  gloom 
of  twilight — a  game  at  whist  usually  concluded  the 
drawing-room  service,  and  the  courtiers  retired  to 
lodgings  assigned  them  under  the  same  roof,  or  in 
the  adjacent  houses.  The  whist  party  consisted  of 
the  emperor  and  empress,  Madame  la  Rochefoucauld, 
the  lady  of  honour,  with  a  fourth  named  either  from 
tho  nobility  of  the  court  or  the  foreign  visiters. 
Napoleon  played  very  ill,  and  was  so  careless  about 
this  game,  that,  having  once  commissioned  M.  de 
Remusat,  grand-chamberlain,  to  invite  a  lady  to  make 
a  fourth,  who  pleading  in  apology  that  she  had  never 
played  whist,  he  cried  out,  overhearing  the  excuse, 
"  Oh  madame,  c'est  egal" — that  makes  no  matter. 
The  lady,  looking  upon  this  as  a  command,  took  her 
seat,  and,  by  barely  attending  to  the  first  hand,  beat 
the  emperor.  Josephine  played  well,  but  with  no 
great  liking  for  the  amusement. 

Such,  with  but  some  variety  of  scenery  and  inci- 
dent, were  all  those  excursions  which  filled  up  so 
large  a  portion  of  the  imperial  life  of  Josephine 

*  See  Memoirs  of  Napoleon,  Constables  Miscellany,  vol.  iii.  2d  edit. 

Bb 


290  MEMOIRS    OF 

We  have  therefore  dwelt  upon  the  present  one  at 
some  length.  The  court  returned  to  Paris  in  the 
beginning  of  October.  It  is  singular  that  this  should 
have  been  precisely  the  same  route  which  was  taken 
in  the  first  excursion  which  Napoleon  made  with 
Maria  Louisa ;  and  one  who  accompanied  both  has 
left  on  record,  that  the  remembrance  of  the  first  was 
not  obliterated  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  by  the 
visit  of  the  second  empress. 

Meanwhile,  preparations  had  been  making  for  a 
coronation  such  as  France  had  scarcely  witnessed 
since  the  daj^s  of  the  Carlovingian  monarchs,  when 
the  head  of  the  Catholic  church  placed  the  crown 
upon  the  brow  of  her  eldest  son.  To  this  honour 
and  to  this  title  Bonaparte,  as  founder  of  a  dynasty, 
aspired  anew.  Nor  was  the  church  in  any  case  to 
disallow  these  pretensions  to  one  already  in  a  fair 
way  to  make  good  his  resolution  of  dethroning  all 
the  kings  of  Europe,  that  so  he  might  be  the  senior 
of  the  regal  aristocracy.  The  general  veneration 
which  the  good  old  Pius  awakened  on  his  arrival  in 
Paris  became,  in  Josephine's  breast,  a  deep  and  par- 
ticular regard.  During  the  five  months  nearly  which 
he  passed  in  the  French  capital,  the  unceasing  cares 
of  the  empress  were  directed  to  whatever  might  tend 
to  his  comfort.  Every  day  she  sent  to  inquire  con- 
cerning his  welfare,  often  visited,  and  very  frequently 
corresponded  with  his  holiness.  These  attentions 
were  the  more  called  for,  that  the  delicate  health  of 
Pius  suffered  from  the  climate  of  France,  while  the 
winter  of  1804-5  was  one  of  unusual  severity.  The 
orders  of  the  emperor,  indeed,  provided  amply  for 
all  things  necessary ;  but  the  observant  delicacy  of 
the  empress  supplied  many  wants  which  might  else 
have  been  overlooked.  Often,  for  instance,  the  wea- 
ther prevented  the  pope  from  appearing  in  public ;  a 
circumstance  which  grieved  him  chiefly  as  hindering 
the  religiously  inclined  from  approaching  his  person. 
Josephine  procured  the  long  picture  gallery  of  the 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  291 

Louvre  to  be  thrown  open ;  here  the  venerable  Pius 
took  exercise,  and  saw  those  who  desired  spiritual 
consolation  from  him.  It  was  a  sight  deeply  affect- 
ing- to  view  the  old  man  slowly  pacing  this  magnifi- 
cent gallery,  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long,  be 
tween  a  double  line  of  kneeling  applicants  for  his 
blessing;  but  to  the  sincere  friend  of  religion,  of 
whatever  creed,  it  must  have  been  painful  to  remark 
— a  cause  of  regret  still  existing  in  France — that  of 
these  numbers  almost  all  were  women  or  children. 
His  holiness  was  preceded  by  the  director  of  the 
museum,  the  Baron  Denon,  and  followed  by  the 
cardinals  and  officers  oi  the  papal  court.  The  di- 
rector named  those  to  be  personally  introduced, 
and  it  was  not  without  interest  to  behold  the  same 
aged  hand  now  stretched  forth  to  a  supplicant  who 
might  perchance  be  announced  by  one  of  the  most 
illustrious  titles  in  France,  and  immediately  after 
placed  upon  the  head  of  an  infant  of  nameless  birth. 
Pius  was  sincerely  attached  to  Josephine :  the 
peaceful  mildness  of  their  general  characters  was 
not  dissimilar,  while  their  firmness  on  certain  points 
entirely  redeemed  this  gentle  endurance  of  personal 
wrongs  and  sacrifices  from  the  charge  of  feebleness, 
which  has  sometimes  been  brought  against  both. 
The  following  letter,  written  a  short  time  before  the 
coronation,  is  the  production  of  no  weak  or  ill-regu- 
lated mind,  and  expresses  sentiments,  apart  from  a 
peculiar  creed,  equally  just  and  affecting : — 

The  Empress  to  his  holiness  Pius  VIL 

"  Whatever  experience  of  human  change  the 
knowledge  of  our  religion  may  have  taught,  your 
holiness  will  view,  doubtless  not  without  astonish- 
ment, an  obscure  woman  ready  to  receive  from  your 
hands  the  first  among  the  crowns  of  Europe.  In 
an  event  so  far  beyond  the  ordinary  course,  she 
recognises  and  blesses  the  work  of  the  Almighty, 


292  MEMOIRS    OF 

without  daring  to  inquire  into  his  purposes.  But, 
holy  father,  I  should  be  still  ungrateful,  even  while 
I  magnified  the  power  of  God,  if  I  poured  not  out 
my  soul  into  the  paternal  bosom  of  him  who  has 
been  chosen  to  represent  his  providence — if  I  con- 
fided not  to  you  my  secret  thoughts.  The  first  and 
chief  of  these  is  the  conviction  of  my  own  weakness 
and  incapacity.  Of  myself  I  can  do  nothing,  or,  to 
speak  more  correctly,  the  little  1  can  do  is  derived 
solely  from  the  extraordinary  man  with  whom  my 
lot  is  cast.  This  falling  back  upon  myself,  by  which 
I  am  sometimes  cast  down,  serves,  upon  more  ma- 
ture reflection,  to  encourage  me.  I  say  in  my  own 
heart,  is  not  the  arm  which  causes  the  earth  to 
tremble  amply  sufficient  to  sustain  me  ?  But  how 
many  are  the  difficulties  which  surround  the  station 
to  which  that  arm  has  raised  me !  I  do  not  speak 
of  the  corruption  which,  in  the  midst  of  greatness, 
has  tainted  the  purest  minds;  I  can  rely  upon  my 
own,  so  far  as  in  this  respect  not  to  fear  elevation. 
But  from  a  height  whence  all  other  dignities  must 
appear  mean,  how  shall  I  distinguish  real  poverty  1 
Ah !  truly  do  I  feel  that,  in  becoming  Empress  of 
the  French,  I  ought  also  to  become  to  them  as  a 
mother :  at  the  same  time,  what  would  it  avail  to 
bear  them  in  my  heart,  if  I  proved  my  affection  for 
them  only  by  my  intentions  ?  Deeds  are  what  the 
people  have  a  right  to  demand  from  those  who  gov- 
ern them ;  and  your  holiness,  who  so  well  replies 
to  the  respectful  love  of  your  subjects  by  continual 
acts  of  justice  and  benevolence,  more  than  any  other 
sovereign,  is  qualified  to  instruct  me  by  example  in 
the  efficacy  of  this  doctrine.  Oh,  then,  holy  father ! 
may  you,  with  the  sacred  unctions  poured  upon  my 
head,  not  only  awaken  me  to  the  truth  of  those  pre- 
cepts which  my  heart  acknowledges,  but  also  con- 
firm the  resolution  of  applying  them  to  practice  !M 

The  solemnity  for  which  Josephine  thus  so  prop- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  293 

crly  endeavoured  to  prepare  her  mind  took  pkce  on 
the  2d  of  December,  1804.  But  previous  to  a  de- 
scription of  the  ceremonial  of  the  coronation,  an 
important  circumstance  demands  an  explanation. 
The  Duke  de  Rovigo,  in  his  Memoirs,  and  after  him 
other  writers  have  asserted,  that  besides  the  mere 
civil  act  of  marriage,  no  more  sacred  tie  bound  Na- 
poleon to  Josephine.  The  facts,  however,  are  as 
follows  : — Three  days  before  the  coronation,  at  mid- 
night of  the  29th  and  30th  of  November,  the  nuptial 
benediction  according  to  the  forms  of  the  church 
was  pronounced  over  the  imperial  pair  by  Cardinal 
Fesch,  in  the  private  chapel  of  the  Tuileries.  This 
was  deemed  indispensable  by  the  pope,  and  was 
done  in  consequence  of  his  formal  demand.  Very 
few,  indeed,  witnessed  the  ceremony,  but  among 
these,  it  is  pretty  certain,  were  Marshal  Duroc  and 
Eugene,  though  neither,  from  the  obvious  circum- 
stance of  not  having  been  called  upon,  has  left  per- 
sonal testimony  of  his  presence.  Eugene,  however, 
whose  frank  and  noble  character  raised  him  far 
above  suspicion,  frequently  stated,  in  the  hearing 
of  witnesses  now  living,  certain  knowledge  of  his 
mother's  religious  marriage  having  been  celebrated 
as  now  related.  The  extract  of  this  marriage,  in 
fact,  delivered  to  the  empress  by  her  own  desire, 
was  confided  to  her  son's  keeping,  and  was  in  his 
custody  in  Italy  at  the  final  downfall  of  the  empire. 
From  Josephine's  own  conversations,  too,  with  inti- 
mate friends  at  Navarre  and  Malmaison  after  the 
divorce,  the  principal  circumstance  is  placed  beyond 
a. doubt.  True,  the  religious  celebration  of  the 
marriage  was  not  announced  in  the  Moniteur,  be- 
cause Bonaparte  objected  to  so  tardy  an  act.  Jose- 
phine acquiesced;  and  here  the  good  sense  which 
dictated  silence  to  both,  through  her  own  devotion 
to  his  will,  has,  as  we  shall  see  hereafter,  turned 
against  herself.  Besides,  the  institutions  of  the 
Catholic  church,  the  character  of  the  pope,  a  de 
Bb2 


294  MEMOIRS    OF 

voted  supporter  of  these,  and  the  consequent  im- 
probability, if  not  actual  impossibility,  of  the  highest 
and  most  sacred  ordinances  of  religion  being  admin- 
istered by  such  hands  to  those  who,  strictly  speak- 
ing, were  not  yet  within  the  pale  of  ecclesiastical 
privileges,  corroborate  the  fact  of  this  private  mar- 
riage. 

On  the  2d  of  December  all  was  stir  in  Paris  and 
the  Tuileries  from  an  early  hour.  On  this  morning, 
which  was  to  witness  the  completion  of  her  great- 
ness, Josephine  rose  about  eight  o'clock,  and  imme- 
diately commenced  the  weighty  concerns  of  the 
toilet.  The  body  drapery  of  the  empress  was  of 
white  satin,  beautifully  embroidered  in  gold,  and  on 
the  breast  ornamented  with  diamonds.  The  mantle 
was  of  crimson  velvet,  lined  with  white  satin  and 
ermine,  studded  with  golden  bees,  and  confined  by 
an  aigrette  of  diamonds.  The  coronation  jewels 
consisted  of  a  crown,  a  diadem,  and  a  ceinture. 
The  first,  used  for  the  actual  crowning,  and  worn 
only  on  state  occasions,  consisted  of  eight  branches, 
four  wrought  in  palm,  and  four  in  myrtle  leaves  of 
gold  incrusted  with  diamonds:  round  the  circlet  ran 
a  corded  fillet  set  with  eight  very  large  emeralds ; 
and  the  bandeau  which  immediately  enclosed  the 
head  shone  with  resplendent  amethysts.  The  dia- 
dem, worn  before  the  coronation,  and  on  the  more 
ordinary  state  occasions,  was  composed  of  four  rows 
of  pearls  of  the  finest  water,  interlaced  with  foliage 
of  diamonds,  the  workmanship  of  which  equalled 
the  materials ;  in  front  were  several  brilliants,  the 
largest  weighing  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  grains. 
The  ceinture  was  of  gold  so  pure  as  to  be  quite 
elastic,  enriched  writh  thirty-nine  rose-coloured  dia,- 
monds.  What  a  change  from  the  time  of  her  first 
marriage,  when,  as  Josephine,  with  her  wonted  sim- 
plicity, used  to  relate,  she  carried  the  few  trinkets 
presented  by  Beauharnais,  for  several  days,  in  the 
large  pockets  which  ladies  were  then  accustomed 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  295 

to  wear,  showing  them  to  every  acquaintance,  and 
hearing1  them  pronounced  the  wonder  of  all  eyes ! 

In  Napoleon's  apartment  the  morning  passed  in 
similar  preparations.  His  close  dress  was  of  white 
velvet,  embroidered  in  gold  with  diamond  huttons ; 
his  stockings  of  white  silk ;  the  gussets  wrought  in 
gold,  harmonized  with  buskins  of  white  velvet  laced 
and  bordered  with  gold ;  his  upper  garment,  as  also 
the  short  mantle,  were  of  crimson  velvet,  richly 
embroidered  in  gold,  with  diamond  fastenings.  This 
mantle  was  similar  to  that  of  the  empress,  but  much 
heavier,  weighing  upwards  of  eighty  pounds.  It 
was  curious  to  remark  an  innate  parsimony  amid  all 
this  profusion.  As  his  attendants  displayed  them 
in  succession,  each  of  these  magnificent  habiliments 
gave  occasion  to  new  outpourings  of  indignation 
against  embroidery,  tailors,  and  fournisseurs  of  all 
descriptions.  "  All  very  fine  that,"  he  would  say  to 
his  favourite  valet,  taking  him  at  the  same  time  by 
the  ear ;  "  all  very  fine,  Monsieur  le  drole ;  but  we 
shall  see  the  accounts !" 

At  eleven  precisely  the  cavalcade  moved  from 
the  Tuileries  towards  Notre  Dame.  The  imperial 
carriage,  drawn  by  eight  bays,  attracted  general 
attention ;  it  had  been  constructed  for  the  occasion, 
in  a  very  ingenious  manner,  the  entire  paneling 
being  of  glass,  a  circumstance  which  accounts  for 
the  mistake  of  their  majesties  having  seated  them- 
selves, like  criminals,  with  their  backs  to  the  horses ; 
but  where  so  many  omens  and  predictions  have 
figured,  it  is  surprising  that  the  fact  has  been  omit- 
ted. Josephine  was  the  first  to  discover  this  error, 
which  she  instantly  rectified  by  lightly  assuming  the 
proper  position,  saying  at  the  same  time  to  her  com- 
panion, "  Mon  ami,  unless  you  prefer  riding  vis-a-vib, 
this  is  your  seat,"  pointing  to  the  rich  cushion  on 
the  right.  Napoleon,  laughing  heartily  at  his  blun- 
der, moved  to  the  place  indicated.  The  procession 
advanced,  attended  by  ten  thousand  horsemen,  the 


296  MEMOIRS   OF 

flower  of  "  Gallic  chivalry,"  who  defiled  between 
double  lines  of  infantry,  selected  from  the  bravest 
soldiers,  extending  above  a  mile  and  a  half,  while 
more  than  four  hundred  thousand  spectators  filled 
up  every  space  whence  a  glance  could  be  obtained. 
The  thunders  of  innumerable  artillery,  the  acclama- 
tions of  the  assembled  multitude,  expressed  the 
general  enthusiasm ;  and,  as  if  to  light  up  the  gor- 
geous spectacle,  the  sun  suddenly  broke  through 
the  mists  which  till  then  had  hung  heavily  over  the 
city.  The  cortege  stopped  at  the  archiepiscopal 
palace,  whence  a  temporary  covered  gallery,  hung 
with  the  banners  of  the  sixteen  cohorts  of  the  Legion 
of  Honour,  conducted  into  the  interior  of  the  cathe- 
dral, and  to  the  throne.  To  this  latter  was  an  ascent 
of  twenty-two  semicircular  steps,  covered  with 
blue  cloth,  gemmed  with  golden  bees,  and  crowded 
with  the  grand  officers  of  the  empire.  On  the  throne 
itself,  hung  with  crimson  velvet,  under  a  canopy  of 
the  same,  appeared  Napoleon,  with  Josephine  on 
his  left,  attended  by  the  princesses  of  the  empire, 
and  on  his  right  his  two  brothers,  with  the  arch- 
chancellor  and  arch-treasurer.  The  religious  cere- 
mony continued  nearly  four  hours,  enlivened  by 
music  composed  for  the  occasion  chiefly  by  Paesi- 
ello,  and  sung  by  upwards  of  three  hundred  per- 
formers. The  martial  band  was  still  more  nume- 
rous, which  executed  in  the  intervals  marches  after- 
ward adopted,  and  still  used  in  the  armies  of  France. 
One  of  these,  composed  by  Le  Seur,  for  the  army 
destined  to  invade  our  own  shores,  when  now  per- 
formed for  the  first  time,  is  said  to  have  aroused  a 
visible  emotion  even  in  that  august  assembly.  Alas ! 
how  cold  are  the  hearts  that  then  beat  high  with 
hope!  how  few,  how  very  few  survive  of  those 
upon  whom  the  impulse  wrought  most  stirringly! 
and  from  the  banks  of  the  Tagus  to  the  streams  of 
the  Volga,  how  varied  the  clime  that  settles  on  their 
graves!  Yet  not  many  years  have  passed— the 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  297 

story  is  contemporary  history — the  grand  actor 
might  have  been  among  us  not  an  aged  man.  Be 
the  moral,  therefore,  more  impressively  ours.  Were 
all  such  thoughts  of  this  life's  greatness  absent  from 
Josephine's  mind]  It  would  appear  not.  Napo- 
leon, at  that  part  of  the  ceremony,  stood  up,  laid  his 
hand  upon  the  imperial  crown, — a  simple  diadem  of 
gold  wrought  into  a  chaplet  of  interwoven  oak  and 
laurel, — and  placed  it  on  his  head.  He  had  even 
given  express  directions  that  Pius  should  not  touch 
it.  Popes  had  pretended  that  all  crowns  were  be- 
stowed by  them ;  and  perhaps  the  new  emperor 
dreaded  the  belief  that  he  had  brought  his  holiness 
from  Rome  with  reference  to  these  ancient  preten- 
sions. He  wished,  therefore,  to  demonstrate,  that 
the  right  to  reign  originated  in  his  own  power,  and 
that,  at  his  coronation,  the  pope  was  but  the  bishop 
of  Rome.  Afterward,  Napoleon  took  the  crown 
destined  for  the  empress,  and,  first  putting  it  for  an 
instant  on  his  own,  placed  it  upon  his  consort's 
brow,  as  she  knelt  before  him  on  the  platform  of  the 
throne.  The  appearance  of  Josephine  was  at  this 
moment  most  touching.  Even  then  she  had  not 
forgotten  that  she  was  once  "  an  obscure  woman ;" 
tears  of  deep  emotion  fell  from  her  eyes ;  she  re- 
mained for  a  space  kneeling,  with  hands  crossed 
upon  her  bosom,  then,  slowly  and  gracefully  rising, 
fixed  upon  her  husband  a  look  of  gratitude  and  ten- 
derness. Napoleon  returned  the  glance.  It  was  a 
silent  but  conscious  interchange  of  the  hopes,  the 
promises,  and  the  memories  of  years  ! 

Cardinal  Fesch,  as  grand  almoner  of  France,  now 
placed  the  Gospels  on  the  throne ;  Napoleon  stood 
up,  laid  his  hand  on  the  sacred  volume,  and,  in  his 
deep  and  solemn  tones,  pronounced  the  oaths,  with 
such  firmness  and  elevation  of  voice,  that  each  word 
was  distinctly  heard  over  the  vast  assembly.  Shouts 
of  "  Long  live  the  emperor !  God  bless  the  em- 
Dress  !"  resounded  through  the  cathedral,  and  were 


298  MEMOIRS   OF 

caught  and  repeated  by  the  multitude  without ;  the 
organ  pealed  forth  Te  Deum,  and  the  whole  con- 
cluded. The  cortege  re-entered  the  palace  at  half- 
past  six  in  the  evening:  Josephine  retired  to  her 
closet  to  give  vent  in  secret  to  the  fulness  of  her 
heart,  and  to  implore  the  protection  of  Him  by 
whom  kings  reign.  Napoleon  too  hastened  to  his 
apartments — "  Otez  moi"  said  he  impatiently  to  his 
attendants — "  Otez  moi  ce  genant  attirail" — Off,  off 
with  these  confounded  trappings ; — and,  casting  his 
coronation  robes  from  him,  he  resumed  his  simple  uni- 
form of  a  colonel  of  the  guard,  repeating  incessantly, 
"  Enfinje  respire" — Now  I  breathe — and  complaining 
that  the  preceding  had  been  the  most  mortal  foui 
hours  of  his  life. 

The  whole  of  December  presented  but  a  succes- 
sion of  fetes.  At  that  given  on  the  15th,  by  the  city 
of  Paris,  when  the  empress  entered  the  apartments 
destined  for  her  temporary  reception  in  the  Hotel  de 
Ville,  she  found  a  toilet  service,  with  table,  ewer, 
and  basin,  of  massive  gold,  and  exquisite  workman- 
ship, a  present  from  the  municipality  of  the  capital. 
Another  circumstance  connected  with  this  fete  de- 
serving of  notice  is  the  history  of  a  balloon,  which 
was  launched  in  the  everfing,  with  lamps  and  iron 
framework,  forming  an  imperial  crown,  weighing, 
exclusive  of  the  balloon  itself,  500  Ibs.  The  vast 
globe  rose  majestically,  hovering  for  some  time  over 
Paris,  and  presenting  to  the  inhabitants  a  brilliant 
and  vast  diadem  of  light.  The  machine  then  disap- 
peared in  the  south,  and  though  a  paper  was  attached, 
offering  a  reward  to  whomsoever  should  bring  it 
back  to  the  proprietor,  the  celebrated  aeronaut 
Gamier,  nothing  was  heard  of  it  for  fifteen  days. 
On  new-year's  day  morning,  while  Napoleon  was 
dressing,  one  of  the  privy  council  entered.  To  the 
question,  "  What  news  *?"  the  usual  interrogatory  to 
all  his  early  visiters, — the  minister  replied,  "  Sir,  1 
left  the  Cardinal  Caprara  very  late  last  night,  from 


-      THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE  299 

whom  I  learned  the  most  extraordinary  occurrence." 
"  What  is  it  ?"  said  the  emperor,  preparing,  half- 
dressed  as  he  was,  to  conduct  the  narrator  into  the 
private  cabinet.  "  Oh,  sire,"  replied  Maret,  "  the 
news  is  more  curious  than  important, — Garnier's 
balloon,  launched  from  Paris  on  the  night  of  the 
16th,  fell  near  Rome  on  the  evening  of  the  17th; 
thus  bearing  your  imperial  crown  to  the  two  capitals 
of  the  world  within  twenty-two  hours !"  This  was 
actually  the  case,  as  appears  from  notices  published 
at  the  time  by  Cardinal  Gonsalvi,  papal  Secretary 
of  State,  and  the  Duke  of  Mondragone,  near  whose 
residence  the  balloon  descended  into  the  lake  Brac- 
ciano,  whence,  after  alarming  the  whole  country  far 
and  near,  it  was  brought  to  land  by  some  fishermen. 
The  machine  had  thus  traversed  nine  hundred  miles, 
across  France,  the  Alps,  and  Italy,  at  the  rate  of 
forty-five  miles  an  hour. 

In  April  Josephine  accompanied  Napoleon  to 
Milan,  there  to  assume  the  crown  of  Lombardy. 
Before  their  departure  was  solemnized  the  baptism 
of  Hortense's  second  son,  Napoleon  himself  and 
Madame  Mere  being  sponsors ;  the  festivities  were 
kept  up  till  midnight,  when  the  emperor,  according 
to  his  usual  fashion,  merely  said,  on  retiring,  "  Horses 
at  six  for  Italy !"  Leaving  the  empress  at  Fontain- 
bleau,  Napoleon  made  an  excursion  to  Brienne,  pur- 
posely, as  emperor,  to  view  the  scenes  of  his  boy- 
hood, which  he  had  not  visited  from  the  time  of 
leaving  college.  The  principal  seat  of  his  early 
studies,  indeed,  had  been  dismantled,  but  even  revo- 
lutionary rage  had  been  able  to  work  little  change  on 
nature.  Napoleon  seemed  to  enjoy  unmixed  plea- 
sure in  recalling  her  features  ;  walking  before  those 
who  attended  him,  delighting  to  be  the  first  to  point 
out  and  name  the  several  spots  which  had  been  his 
favourite  resorts.  After  passing  the  night  in  the 
chateau  de  Brienne,  he  got  up  early  in  the  morning 
to  visit  La  Rothiere,  formerly  a  holyday  haunt,  and 


800  MEMOIRS    OF 


the  cottage  of  dame  Marguerite,  a  woman  who 
lived  in  the  forest,  and  at  whose  abode  the  collegians, 
in  their  rambles,  were  wont  to  be  supplied  with  eggs, 
cakes,  and  milk.  On  such  occasions  each  paid  his 
share,  and  the  good  dame  had  not,  it  seems,  for- 
gotten, that  regular  payment  might  be  depended  on 
when  young  Napoleon  was  of  the  party.  The 
emperor  had  inquired  about  the  old  woman  over- 
night, and  heard,  with  equal  surprise  and  pleasure, 
that  she  still  lived.  Galloping  almost  alone  through 
the  alleys  of  the  forest,  he  alighted  at  a  little  dis- 
tance, and  entered  the  cottage.  "  Good  morning, 
dame  Marguerite ;  so  you  have  no  curiosity  to  see 
the  emperor?" — "Yes,  indeed,  good  master,  I  am 
very  anxious  to  see  him,  and  here  is  a  basketful 
of  fresh  eggs  I  am  to  carry  to  the  chateau,  and  then 
I  will  try  to  get  a  sight  of  the  emperor ;  I  shall  easily 
know  him,  for  I  have  seen  him  often  before  now, 
when  he  came  to  taste  my  milk ;  he  was  not  em- 
peror then,  but  o'  my  troth,  he  knew  how  to  manage 
his  comrades;  my  milk,  eggs,  cakes^  and  broken 
plates,  were  sure  to  be  paid  for  when  he  was  present : 
he  began  by  paying  his  own  score,  and  saw  that 
every  one  else  paid." — "  So,  dame  Marguerite,"  re- 
plied the  emperor  with  a  smile,  "  you  have  not  then 
forgotten  Bonaparte  1" — "  Nay,  nay,  my  good  mas- 
ter, people  don't  soon  forget  a  young  man  of  his 
stamp;  we  all  remember  that  he  was  cautious,  se- 
rious, and  sometimes  even  melancholy,  but  always 
good  to  the  poor.  I  am  no  great  witch,  but  could 
have  told  that  he  would  have  made  his  way." — "  He 
has  done  pretty  well,  has  he  not  ?"  asked  Napoleon, 
laughing. — "  0'  my  troth,  master,  that  he  has,"  said 
the  old  woman,  to  whom  Napoleon,  during  this  short 
dialogue,  had  approached  quite  close,  but  keeping  his 
back  to  the  door,  and  consequently  to  the  principal 
light.  Turning  now  suddenly  round,  the  light 
streamed  full  upon  his  countenance — the  good  dame 
started,  blessed  herself,  and  seemed  striving  to  col- 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  301 

lect  her  reminiscences  of  the  past.  To  help  her 
memory,  Napoleon,  rubbing  his  hands,  and  assuming 
the  tones  and  manners  of  his  youth,  called  out,  "  So, 
ho !  dame  Marguerite,  some  milk  and  fresh  eggs ; 
we  are  all  dying  of  hunger."  The  old  woman,  not 
quite  assured,  began  to  examine  the, emperor  very 
attentively.  "  Ah,  dame  Marguerite,"  said  the  latter, 
"time  has  changed  us  both;  and  you  perceive  it 
would  not  have  been  so  easy  as  you  just  now  thought 
to  recognise  the  emperor ;  but  you  find  we  are  old 
acquaintances."  The  poor  creature  dropped  upon 
her  knees — Napoleon  raised  her  with  an  expression 
of  the  utmost  kindness,  saying,  "  Of  a  truth,  my  good 
mother,  I  am  as  hungry  as  a  student — have  you 
nothing  to  give  me  ?"  Eggs  and  milk  were  got  ready, 
Napoleon  helping  himself,  for  joy  had  almost  put  the 
old  woman  beside  herself.  Having  thus  made  a 
hearty  repast,  the  emperor  rose  to  depart,  and  giv- 
ing his  ancient  hostess  a  purse  of  gold,  said,  "  You 
know,  dame  Marguerite,  I  like  everybody  to  pay 
their  score. — 'Adieu,  I  will  not  forget  you." 

At  Lyons,  the  imperial  pair  passed  some  days  with 
Cardinal  Fesch,  whose  hospitality,  it  has  been  re- 
marked, became  more  bountiful  in  proportion  to  his 
certainty  of  remuneration.  Josephine  crossed  Mount 
Cenis,  partly  in  a  litter,  partly  on  foot ;  for  the  mag- 
nificent road  which  now  "  bridges  the  'Alps"  was 
then  but  just  begun.  For  this  passage,  two  beauti- 
ful sedans  had  been  despatched  from  Turin,  the  one 
intended  for  the  emperor  being  lined  with  crimson 
silk,  with  ornaments  of  gold,  while  Josephine's  had 
lining  of  blue  satin,  and  ornaments  of  silver.  These 
elegancies,  however,  were  used  only  when  walking 
became  dangerous ;  for  Josephine  preferred  the 
support  of  Napoleon's  arm,  and  the  free  aspect  of 
the  sublimities  around.  At  Turin,  or  rather  the 
palace  of  Stupinigi,  in  the  vicinity  of  that  beautiful 
little  capital,  she  took  leave  of  the  venerable  Pius, 
and  these  amiable  personages  parted  with  undi- 
Cc 


302  MEMOIRS    OF 

minished  sentiments  of  mutual  esteem.  Josephine's 
gift  on  the  occasion,  a  beautiful  vase  of  Sevres  china, 
with  exquisite  paintings  of  the  coronation,  we  have 
seen  preserved  in  his  holiness's  palace  on  Monte 
Cavallo,  as  one  would  guard  the  memorial  of  some 
valued  friend,  long  after  she  had  ceased  to  reign  and 
to  live. 

From  Turin,  the  imperial  party  proceeded,  by  way 
of  Alessandria,  to  the  battle-plain  of  Marengo.  Here 
about  thirty  thousand  troops  had  been  previously 
assembled,  and  a  vast  amphitheatre  erected,  whence, 
seated  by  Josephine's  side,  Napoleon  distributed  the 
cross  of  the  Legion  of  Honour.  Upon  this  occasion 
he  had  a  hat  with  broad  tarnished  gold  lace,  a  cloak 
already  wormeaten,  the  large  cavalry  sabre  of  a  re- 
publican general,  and  a  blue  coat  with  long  skirts, 
the  identical  arms  and  habiliments  worn  on  the 
"day  of  Marengo."  Thence  to  Milan  is  only  a 
short  day's  journey.  It  is  unnecessary  to  describe 
the  coronation  here  ;  the  ceremony,  except  in  being 
less  magnificent,  closely  resembled  that  in  Paris. 
Napoleon  placed  upon  his  brow,  with  his  own  hand, 
the  iron  circlet  of  the  sovereigns  of  Lombardy,  re- 
peating aloud,  "  Dio  mi  F  ha  dato — guai  a  chi  la  tocca" 
— God  hath  given  it — wo  to  the  gainsayer; — and 
afterward  crowned,  in  like  manner,  the  empress. 
A  few  days  after  followed  the  ceremony  of  creating 
Eugene  viceroy,  and  investing  him  with  this  new 
dignity.  Their  majesties  remained  nearly  a  month 
in  the  capital  of  Northern  Italy.  This  period  was 
one  continued  succession  of  fetes.  One  day,  when 
Josephine  and  Napoleon  had  escaped  from  greatness 
to  a  quiet  breakfast  and  walk  in  a  beautiful  little 
island  in  the  Olona,  they  met  a  poor  woman,  whose 
cabin  stood  near  the  spot  where  their  table  had  been 
spread.  "  How  do  you  live,  my  good  woman  ? — are 
you  married? — how  many  children  have  you]M- 
"  Sir,"  answered  the  woman,  not  knowing  who  put 
these  questions,  "  I  am  very  poor,  and  have  three 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  303 

children,  whom  we  have  difficulty  in  bringing  up,  for 
my  husband,  who  is  a  day-labourer,  has  not  always 
work." — "Well,  how  much  would  make  you  per- 
fectly happy  1"  asked  Napoleon. — "  Ah !  sir,  a  great 
deal  of  money." — "  Well,  but  once  more,  my  good 
woman,  how  much  would  you  wish  1" — "  Oh,  sir,  at 
least  twenty  louis"  (about  16/.) ; "  but  what  prospect 
is  there  of  our  ever  having  twenty  louis?"  The 
emperor  ordered  3000  francs  (125Z.)  in  gold  to  be 
given  her.  The  rouleaus  being  opened,  and  the  con- 
tents poured  into  her  lap,  at  the  sight  of  such  a 
quantity  of  gold,  the  poor  woman  nearly  fainted 
away.  "  Ah !  sir,"  said  she,  "  ah !  madam,  it  is  a 
great  deal  too  much — and  yet  you  do  not  look  as  if 
you  could  sport  with  the  feelings  of  a  miserable 
woman."  Josephine  reassured  her,  saying,  in  the 
gentlest  accents,  "You  can  now  rent  a  piece  of 
ground,  purchase  a  flock  of  goats,  and,  I  hope,  will 
be  able  to  bring  up  your  children  comfortably." 

Continuing  their  progress  through  the  various  de- 
partments of  the  new  kingdom  of  Italy,  the  imperial 
travellers  reached  Mantua,  and  thence  proceeded  to 
Genoa.  But  if  Napoleon's  errand  to  Italy  had  been 
one  of  pleasure,  his  journey  thence  was  urged  by 
motives  of  equal  speed  and  importance.  At  Genoa 
he  received  certain  intelligence  of  the  coming  storm 
from  the  Austro-Russian  coalition,  mainly  caused 
by  his  assumption  of  the  Lombard  crown.  Jose- 
phine left  Genoa  with  regret ;  she  had  been  pleased 
with  the  people,  the  delightful  climate,  and  the 
beautiful  bay,  in  which  a  floating  garden  of  orange- 
trees  and  rare  plants  was  constructed  for  her 
amusement.  She  had  resolved,  however,  to  accom- 
pany the  emperor,  though  suffering  most  severely 
from  the  rapidity  of  the  journey.  At  each  change 
of  horses  it  was  necessary  to  throw  water  upon  the 
smoking  wheels,  yet  Napoleon  kept  calling  from  the 
carriage,  "  On,  on !  we  do  not  move !"  In  this  man- 
ner, with  a  few  days'  interval  at  Paris,  he  hurried  to 


304  MEMOIRS   OF 

Boulogne,  in  order  thence  to  transport,  with  incred- 
ible diligence,  the  Army  of  Invasion  to  the  Rhenish 
frontier,  and  the  campaign  of  Austerlitz. 

On  the  emperor's  final  departure,  in  September, 
upon  this  splendid  enterprise,  Josephine,  after  ac- 
companying him  to  Strasburg,  returned  as  regent  of 
the  empire.  To  aid  her  in  sustaining  so  arduous 
a  dignity,  Cambaceres,  as  archchancellor,  was  ap- 
pointed chief  assistant  and  adviser.  The  following 
letter,  addressed  to  that  functionary,  shows  with 
what  anxiety  and  prudence  she  prepared  for  the 
discharge  of  her  duties.  The  reader,  it  is  believed, 
while  surprised  at  the  justness  and  even  depth  of  the 
views,  will  find  but  one  expression,  on  English  com- 
merce, liable  to  direct  objection. 

Josephine  to  Cambaceres. 

*'  SIR, — To-morrow,  as  you  know,  in  absence  of 
the  emperor,  I  am  to  give  audience  to  the  Senate 
and  the  different  authorities.  In  a  conjuncture  of 
such  moment,  two  things  are  needful, — to  inform 
you  of  my  intentions,  and  to  receive  your  advice. 
In  this  my  necessity,  to  whom  can  I  more  properly 
apply  than  to  the  distinguished  personage  who  pos- 
sesses the  emperor's  entire  confidence,  and  whom 
France  regards,  with  reason,  as  his  worthy  repre- 
sentative 1 

"  The  various  addresses  have  been  communicated 
to  me,  and  I  send  you  an  outline  of  the  terms  in 
which,  I  conceive,  I  ought  to  reply. 

"  I  remind  the  Senate,  that  as  fathers  of  their 
country,  and  conservators  of  her  institutions,  to  them 
belongs  the  sole  duty  of  maintaining  a  balance  be- 
tween the  different  powers  of  the  state,  not  permit- 
ting themselves  to  encroach  upon  any  one.  To  the 
legislative  body  I  say  that  their  functions  are  to 
judge,  and  to  pass  laws,  particularly  those  relating 
to  taxation,  without  meddling  in  the  march  of 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  305 

government,  which  such  interference  would  impede. 
I  call  to  the  remembrance  of  the  council  of  state, 
that  for  them  has  been  reserved  the  important  duty 
of  preparing,  by  previous  discussion,  good  internal 
laws,  and  a  durable  legislation.  To  the  minis- 
ters I  state,  that  they  form  neither  a  corporation 
nor  even  a  legislative  commission, — neither  the  ad- 
ministration nor  the  government;  but  that,  under 
the  title  of  superior  agents  of  the  government,  and 
first  commissioners  of  its  chief,  they  execute,  and 
cause  to  be  executed,  orders  which  are  the  imme- 
diate consequences  of  legislative  determinations. 
To  the  clergy  I  explain,  that  they  form  a  portion  of 
the  state,  while  the  state  never  is,  and  never  can 
be,  transferred  to  them  ;  that  their  sole  and  exclu- 
sive province  is  the  conscience,  upon  which  they  are 
to  act  so  as  to  form  citizens  to  the  country,  soldiers 
for  the  territory,  subjects  for  the  sovereign,  and 
virtuous  fathers  of  families.  To  the  magistracy  I 
say,  that  applying  without  interpreting  the  laws,  in 
unity  of  views,  and  identity  of  jurisprudence,  they 
are  to  seize  with  sagacity  the  spirit  of  the  law,  recon- 
ciling the  happiness  of  the  governed  with  the  respect 
due  to  governors.  To  the  savans  I  acknowledge, 
that  the  gentle  empire  of  the  arts,  of  science,  and 
literature  tempers  whatever  might  be  too  austere  in 
arms,  which  yet,  in  a  season  of  transition  and  trial, 
are  indispensable.  The  manufacturers  and  mer- 
chants are  reminded,  that  they  should  have  but  two 
thoughts,  which  at  bottom  are  one  and  the  same, — 
the  prosperity  of  oui  own  productions,  and  the  ruin 
of  those  of  England.  Finally,  to  the  agriculturists 
it  is  stated,  that  the  treasures  of  France  are  buried 
in  the  soil,  and  that  by  the  ploughshare  and  the 
spade  they  are  thence  to  be  extracted.  To  the 
heroes  of  either  service  I  have  nothing  to  say — this 
palace  is  filled  with  their  exploits ;  and  from  under  a 
canopy  of  standards,  conquered  by  their  valour,  and 
consecrated  by  their  blood,  do  I  speak. 
Cc2 


306  MEMOIRS    OF 

"  Let  me  know  speedily,  and  with  perfect  fran*« 
ness,  whether  I  am  worthy  thus  to  address  the 
august  assembly  of  my  hearers." 

While  Josephine  employed  herself  in  discharg- 
ing, according  to  these  principles,  her  delegated 
power  at  home,  Napoleon  in  Germany  was  pro- 
ceeding from  one  triumph  to  another.  The  skilful 
combinations  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign  first 
deceived  Mack,  and  afterward  shut  him  up  with 
his  army  in  Ulm.  The  capture  of  that  city  had 
opened  the  road  to  Vienna,  and  the  victory  of  Aus- 
terlitz  sealed  the  fate  of  the  Austrian  capital.  This 
decisive  victory  was  gained  on  the  anniversary  of 
the  coronation;  but  many  days  of  December  had 
passed  without  the  arrival  of  a  courier,  and  the 
empress,  at  St.  Cloud,  expected  with  anxious  alarm 
news  from  the  army.  It  was  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening;  the  usual  circle  had  assembled  in  Jose- 
phine's saloon,  where  many  a  heart,  like  her  own, 
was  but  ill  at  ease.  All,  however,  had  given  up  hope 
for  one  day  more,  hardly  assured,  like  those  to 
whom  evil  tidings  may  come,  whether  the  continu- 
ance of  uncertainty  were  not  a  relief.  Suddenly, 
shouts  were  heard,  and  immediately  after  a  single 
horseman  galloped  into  the  court  of  the  palace. 
The  sound  of  bells  and  the  loud  cracking  of  a  whip 
announced  a  courier.  Josephine  herself  hastened  to 
the  nearest  window,  threw  it  open,  and  the  words, 
"  Victory — Austerlitz,"  saluted  her  ear.  Impatient  of 
delay,  she  descended  into  the  vestibule,  followed  by 
her  ladies.  Moustache,  for  it  was  the  faithful  Mame- 
luke whom  Napoleon  had  despatched  from  the  field 
of  battle,  delivered  a  letter  to  the  empress.  It  was 
a  brief  note,  written  by  the  emperor's  own  hand  in 
the  moment  of  victory.  Josephine  perused  it  where 
she  stood,  reading  by  the  light  of  the  flambeaux 
which  the  attendants  had  snatched  up  in  haste. 
She  drew  a  superb  diamond  from  her  finger,  and 


•THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  307 

gave  it  to  Moustache.  He  merited  so  distinguished 
a  reward:  he  had  traversed  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  within  the  last  twelve  hours,  and  was  so 
exhausted  that  four  men  were  employed  to  lift  him 
from  the  saddle,  and  his  last  horse  fell  dead  in  the 
court  of  the  palace. 

The  victory  thus  announced  was  productive  in  its 
consequences  of  renewed  pleasure  to  the  empress, 
by  the  marriage  of  her  Eugene  with  the  Princess- 
royal  of  Bavaria;  and,  as  a  striking  proof  of  his 
attachment  for  both,  the  first  of  the  royal  alliances 
in  Napoleon's  family  took  place  in  favour  of  the  son 
of  Josephine.  Joyfully  obeying  a  mandate  which 
was  to  restore  her  for  a  time  to  the  society  of  those 
she  loved,  the  empress  immediately  left  Paris  for 
Munich,  where  the  nuptials  were  solemnized  in  Jan- 
uary, 1806.  "  I  was  delighted,"  says  the  noble  Rapp, 
speaking  of  this  event,  "  to  find  so  many  friends 
assembled,  and  especially  to  see  the  empress  once 
again,  who  is  excellent  and  amiable  as  ever."  When 
summoned  to  the  Bavarian  capital  from  the  com- 
mand of  the  Italian  army,  in  order  to  receive  the 
hand  of  Augusta,  Eugene  displayed  all  the  reluctance 
natural  to  a  feeling  and  liberal  mind  against  a  politi- 
cal marriage.  The  personal  attractions  of  the  prin- 
cess, however,  her  accomplishments  and  amiableness, 
taught  him  to  receive  as  the  consummation  of  his 
happiness  that  to  which  he  had  merely  prepared  to 
submit.  The  attachment  soon  became  mutual ;  and 
the  domestic  felicity  of  the  viceroy  constituted,  both 
in  her  prosperous  and  adverse  fortunes,  a  cause  of 
rejoicing  to  his  mother.  The  princess  shared  in,  and 
proved  herself,  in  every  relation  of  a  wife  and  a 
mother,  worthy  of  Josephine's  best  affections.  Her 
attachment  to  Eugene  was  perfect  and  disinterested. 
The  viceroy  had  written  a  desponding  letter  on  the 
occasion  of  the  divorce,  expressing,  among  other 
things,  regret  on  the  account  that  he  had  now  ceased 
to  be  the  adopted  son  of  the  emperor ;  his  wife  ten- 


308  MEMOIRS    OF 

derly  endeavoured  to  console  him  on  his  mother's 
misfortune,  but  for  herself  nobly  replied,  "  It  was 
not  the  heir  of  the  emperor  whom  1  married,  and 
whom  I  have  loved,  but  Eugene  Beauharnais."  On 
the  other  hand,  it  would  be  difficult  to  say  whether 
Josephine  loved  her  children  or  grandchildren  better. 
One  of  her  greatest  pleasures  after  her  retreat 
was  to  devise,  and  send  to  Italy,  whatever  might 
amuse,  instruct,  or  interest  her  young  favourites. — 
Often,  too,  has  she  been  found  in  tears,  contemplat- 
ing a  family  picture,  representing  the  princess,  who 
was  very  beautiful,  with  three  of  her  children,  one 
on  their  mother's  shoulder,  another  climbing  her 
knee,  and  the  third  in  her  arms.  "It  might  be 
thought,"  said  Josephine  with  a  mournful  smile,  to 
one  of  her  ladies,  who  found  her  thus  employed,  "that 
these  tears  had  their  source  in  other  feelings  than 
those  of  maternal  affection.  You  know  me;  and  I  need 
hardly  assure  you  they  flow  from  no  other  cause." 

On  the  return  of  Napoleon  from  Germany,  Paris 
seemed  almost  converted  into  a  German  capital,  such 
were  the  numbers  of  the  princes  of  that  country 
who  now  thronged  the  imperial  court.  One  of 
these,  the  Prince-royal  of  Baden,  was  to  marry  the 
newly  created  Princess  Stephanie  de  Beauharnais, 
niece  to  the  empress.  The  following  letter,  written 
upon  this  occasion,  is  a  proof  that  power,  happiness, 
and  success  had  wrought,  and  could  work,  no  change 
in  the  heart  of  the  writer : — 

Josephine  to  the  Comtesse  Girardin. 

"  MY  DEAR  FRIEND, — I  send  you  a  set  of  jewels, 
which  will  serve  to  prove  that  I  do  not  cease  to  think 
of  you.  The  moment  Fonder  [jeweller  to  the  em- 
press ]  brought  them,  the  charming  appearance  they 
would  have  on  your  beautiful  neck  occurred  to  me, 
and  I  eagerly  made  the  purchase.  Accept,  then,  this 
pledge  of  an  attachment  which  you  cannot  doubt,  on 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  309 

recalling  your  own  affection  for  me  when  I  was 
utterly  destitute,  but  of  which,  from  that  very  cir- 
cumstance, it  will  be  pleasing  to  receive  a  new 
remembrance. 

"  I  am  truly  satisfied  with  the  rank  which  I  occupy 
only  when  it  procures  me  the  pleasure  of  obtaining 
some  favour  for  my  friends  of  old.  Your  situation, 
fortunately,  deprives  me  of  the  happiness  of  being 
able  to  serve  you,  since  all  your  wishes  are  fulfilled. 
I  cannot  console  myself  for  my  want  of  power  to 
be  serviceable,  save  by  often  seeking  occasions  of 
being  at  least  agreeable.  These  my  heart  will  in- 
struct me  how  to  divine. 

"My  charming  Stephanie,  now  adopted  by  the 
emperor,  is  very  soon  to  espouse  a  German  prince. 
His  name  must  be  still  a  mystery :  so  soon  as  I  have 
permission  to  communicate  it,  you  shall  be  the  first 
to  learn  the  secret.  You  know  my  tenderness  for 
my  niece,  and  can  therefore  conceive  the  happiness 
which  1  experience  in  venturing  to  anticipate  hers. 
Her  character,  little  disposed  to  ambition,  makes  her 
regard  this  match  with  a  degree  of  pain,  because  it 
removes  her  from  me  and  her  family ;  yet  a  while 
and  she  will  forget  every  thing  in  the  truest  of  all 
the  joys  of  this  world,  that  of  seeing  the  happiness 
of  others  depending  upon  her.  You  will  remember, 
my  dear,  we  found  means  of  tasting  such  enjoyment 
even  hi  prison,  by  sharing  with  the  wretched  cap- 
tives whrlwe  received  from  our  friends!  There 
wants,  indeed,  only  the  will  to  oblige ;  the  means 
are  always  in  our  power ;  and  Stephanie  especially 
is  worthy  of  often  meeting  with  the  opportunity. 

"  Meantime  we  are  very  busy  with  all  those  futili- 
ties necessary  to  an  intended.  I  am  delighted  with 
every  tL.ng  the  emperor  does  for  my  favourite. — 
She  is,  I  know,  less  overjoyed  than  I,  from  the  causes 
already  mentioned,  and  finds  only  one  consola- 
tion, in  being  able,  on  quitting  France,  to  take  with 
her  some  early  friends, — a  privilege  which  is  to  be 


310  MEMOIRS    OF 

granted.  If,  then,  your  protegee  desires  an  agree- 
able situation,  I  believe  I  can  procure  one  near  Ste- 
phanie's person,  which  will  be  preferable  to  one  in 
my  service. 

"I  must  leave  you,  dear  friend,  for  Foncier. — 
There  are  duties  to  which  we  must  sacrifice  even 
friendship.  You  will  therefore  pardon  my  breaking 
off  abruptly  for  a  purpose  of  this  importance.  For 
your  sake  I  have  vanquished  my  sloth,  not  wishing 
to  employ  the  pen  of  my  good  Deschamps  [private 
secretary].  Between  friends  such  as  we  two,  a  third 
party  is  to  me  always  a  restraint.  Are  you  not  of 
the  same  opinion  ]  Adieu,  my  friend.  Empress  or 
in  prison,  be  assured  no  one  loves  you  as  does 

"JOSEPHINE." 

The  spring  of  1806  beheld,  in  succession,  most 
of  the  members  of  the  imperial  family  obtain  inde- 
pendent principalities.  More  favoured  than  all  the 
rest,  except  Joseph,  Louis  and  Hortense  were  raised 
to  the  throne  of  Holland ;  and  could  grandeur  com- 
mand or  ensure  happiness,  Josephine  had  subse- 
quently never  known  misfortune.  Every  wish,  save 
one,  and  that  one  seemed  at  last  supplied,  was  granted. 
She  found  herself  on  the  most  splendid  of  European 
thrones,  beloved  by  the  wonderful  man  who  had 
placed  her  there,  adored  by  the  French  nation,  and 
respected  even  by  enemies.  Her  children  occupied 
stations  second  only  to  her  own,  with  the  prospect, 
either  directly  or  in  their  issue,  of  succeeding  to 
empire  when  death  should  relax  the  giant  grasp  that 
now  swayed  the  sceptre.  The  Prussian  campaign, 
closed  by  the  victory  of  Jena  on  the  14th  of  October, 
and  the  defeat  of  the  Russians  at  Friedland,  with 
the  subsequent  treaty  of  Tilsit,  concluded  in  the  fol- 
lowing June,  left  Napoleon  arbiter  of  Europe,  and 
seemed  to  have  invested  his  power  with  a  perma- 
nency and  force  beyond  change.  We  embrace  thia 
period,  therefore,  both  as  being  filled  with  events 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  311 

alien  to  our  subject,  and  because  it  presents  the  crisis 
of  Josephine's  greatness,  to  introduce  a  brief  sketch 
of  her  manner  of  life  as  empress. 

In  her  own  apartments  Josephine's  ordinary  hour 
of  rising  was  nine  o'clock.  But  on  other  occasions 
we  have  Constant's  account  as  follows  : — "  I  had  a 
regular  order  to  enter  the  emperor's  apartment  at 
seven  o'clock.  When  the  empress  passed  the  night 
there,  it  was  a  very  unusual  circumstance  not  to  find 
the  august  spouses  awake.  The  emperor  commonly 
asked  for  tea  or  an  infusion  of  orange-flowers,  and 
rose  immediately  after.  The  empress  would  say, 
with  a  smile,  *  Will  you  rise  so  soon  1 — Remain  a 
little  longer.' — *  Well,  if  I  do,  you  will  not  sleep,  will 
you  1'  was  his  majesty's  usual  reply ;  then  he  would 
roll  her  up  in  the  coverlet,  laughing  and  tickling  her 
on  the  cheeks  and  neck.  In  the  course  of  a  few 
minutes  the  empress  rose  also,  and  putting  on  a  loose 
robe  du  matin,  either  read  the  journals  while  the 
emperor  dressed,  or  retired  by  a  private  access  to 
her  own  apartments,  but  never  without  addressing 
some  kind  and  condescending  words  to  myself." 

The  important  arrangements  of  the  toilet  always 
commenced  at  nine.  These  occupied  an  hour,  and 
Josephine  then  passed  into  a  saloon  appropriated  to 
morning  receptions  of  all  those  who  had  solicited 
and  obtained  the  favour  of  an  audience,  whether  as 
respected  matters  within  her  own  influence,  or  pe- 
titions to  be  presented  to  the  emperor.  Nothing 
could  exceed  the  real  kindness  with  which  Josephine 
listened  to  all  these  applications,  or  the.  sincerity  of 
her  endeavours  to  promote  the  success  of  such  as 
appeared  proper,  and  possessing  claims  on  her  sup- 
port. She  has  indeed  been  blamed  for  too  great 
facility,  and  little  discernment  in  selecting  the  objects 
of  her  bounty.  Both  accusations  may  be  true ;  but 
we  must  recollect  that  her  dispositions  were  benefi- 
cent, and  her  powers  limited  exceedingly ;  while  to 
"the  amiable  Josephine"  numerous  petitioners  of 
all  ranks  and  situations  applied,  who  had,  or  believed 


312  MEMOIRS    OP 

they  had,  no  other  access  to  the  throne.  It  is  pro* 
verbially  difficult,  too,  for  sovereigns  to  distinguish 
true  merit  or  real  indigence  in  those  who  crave  fa- 
vours; and  in  a  court  so  intriguing  this  difficulty 
must  have  been  proportionally  increased.  Three 
things,  however,  are  certain :  Josephine  was  fully 
sensible  both  of  the  duty  of  inquiry  and  her  liability 
to  be  deceived ;  next,  she  never  insisted  beyond  a 
legitimate  influence ;  and,  lastly,  was  perfectly  firm 
when  convinced  of  the  propriety  of  an  application, 
and  of  her  own  right  to  obtain  its  object.  The  first 
of  these  inferences  has  been  sufficiently  illustrated 
by  previous  letters ;  the  following  notes,  among  many 
others,  testify  to  the  truth  of  the  last  two : — 

The  Empress  to  M.  de  Villedeuil. 

"  SIR, — The  petition  addressed  to  me  concerns  the 
archchancellor.  If  you  will  draw  up  a  memorial  for 
him,  and  transmit  it  to  me,  I  shall  in  all  sincerity 
endeavour  to  get  it  noted  by  the  emperor,  without 
which  my  influence  would  be  of  little  avail.  I  shall 
esteem  myself  happy,  sir,  in  giving  you  any  mark  of 
the  respect  I  have  always  entertained  for  yourself 
and  your  generous  family,  with  whom  I  was  very  inti- 
mate at  the  period  of  my  arrival  in  France.  Rely 
equally  upon  my  promises  and  the  emperor's  justice. 

The  brief  note  to  Fouche"  is  in  a  different  strain. 

"  MY  LORD  DUKE, — I  will  that  the  young  Dutetre 
be  placed  in  some  way  or  other,  while  I  am  em- 
press ;  you  would  very  speedily  forget  him  should 
I  cease  to  reign.  I  salute  you." 

The  audiences  concluded,  the  empress  went  to 
breakfast,  which  was  served  exactly  at  eleven 
During  the  absence  of  the  emperor,  this  repast  was 
made  in  company  with  the  first  lady  of  honour  and 
the  other  ladies  of  the  court  whose  rank  entitled 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE:  313 

them  to  that  distinction.  Napoleon  always  break- 
fasted in  great  haste,  usually  in  about  seven  or  eight 
minutes,  and  generally  alone,  at  a  small  table  a  la 
fourchette,  taking  a  cup  of  coffee  afterward.  During 
the  consulate,  breakfast  was  announced  at  ten,  and 
then  the  meal  was  always  a  social  one;  but  this 
hour  appears  to  have  interfered  with  business  or 
etiquette  ;  and  afterward  Napoleon  more  frequently 
breakfasted  alone,  while  engaged  in  audiences  of  a 
very  private  nature.  Breakfast  ended,  the  empress 
either  played  a  game  at  billiards,  or,  if  the  weather 
permitted,  walked.  This  exercise,  in  either  case, 
did  not  continue  long,  and  she  passed  the  remainder 
of  the  morning,  fiom  about  midday  till  half-past 
two  or  three  o'clock,  in  her  apartments,  working, 
conversing,  and  reading  with  her  ladies.  We  have 
already  mentioned  how  beautifully  Josephine  embroi- 
dered, and  this  accomplishment  continued  to  be  her 
chief  amusement,  much  of  the  most  splendid  furni- 
ture in  the  various  palaces  being  covered  with  pieces 
executed  by  her  own  hand,  or  with  the  assistance 
of  her  ladies.  The  following  billet  is  a  curious 
melange  of  orders  pertaining  to  these  labours,  while 
it  shows  how  kindly  Josephine  addressed  even  her 
inferior  attendants : — 

To  Aubert,  Femrne-de-chambre  to  the  Empress. 

"  MY  DEAR  Miss  AUBERT, — I  beg  you  will  call  in 
at  Bennais's  in  returning,  and  see  if  he  really  intends 
to  bring  my  rouge  boxes.  I  have  not  a  single  one, 
as  you  know.  Inquire  also  whether  the  frames 
which  I  ordered  of  him  are  ready;  my  ladies  remain 
with  folded  arms,  and  I  myself  have  nothing  at  all 
to  do.  At  the  same  time,  take  in  your  way  the 
Pere  de  FamUle,  and  purchase,  on  my  account,  a 
complete  assortment  of  worsteds,  with  some  dozens 
of  English  needles. — Here  is  a  lot  of  commissions 
for  you  all  at  once ;  not  to  forget  them,  think  of 
Dd 


814  MEMOIRS  OF 

me.    I  am  quite  sure  you  will  acquit  youself  well, 
and  return  quickly." 

While  the  rest  were  at  work,  one  of  the  ladies, 
permanently  appointed  to  the  office  of  reader,  read 
aloud  at  such  times  as  conversation  was  not  pre- 
ferred. When  any  literary  production  gave  more 
than  usual  pleasure,  the  reading  was  immediately 
recommenced,  and  the  work  perused  a  second  time. 
The  volumes  selected  were  interesting  but  useful 
books,  from  the  standard  writers,  and  all  new  pub- 
lications of  repute.  Works  of  taste  and  imagination 
constituted,  of  course,  a  large  portion  of  these 
public  readings ;  novels,  however,  unless  in  particu- 
lar instances,  were  excluded.  Napoleon,  indeed, 
disliked  to  see  novels  anywhere  about  his  palaces ; 
in  traversing  the  antechambers,  if  he  found  any  of 
his  attendants  reading,  he  seldom  failed  to  examine 
the  book,  and  if  a  novel,  condemned  it  to  the  flames 
without  mercy.  The  individual,  too,  was  sure  of  a 
lecture,  which  usually  began  with  the  question, — 
"  So,  you  could  find  no  better  reading  than  that  1" 
While  the  empress  and  her  ladies  were  engaged  as 
described,  the  emperor  was  in  the  habit  of  looking 
in  upon  the  fair  party  at  intervals  throughout  the 
morning.  On  these  occasions,  he  is  described  as 
being  extremely  amiable,  amusing,  and  in  high 
spirits;  for  he  rarely  visited  the  saloon  in  the 
morning  unless  when  in  good-humour,  or,  in  his  own 
phrase,  "  when  things  went  well."  Josephine,  too, 
though  more  rarely,  would  venture  into  his  cabinet, 
but  when  he  required  her  presence  for  any  confer- 
ence of  importance,  he  knocked  at  the  little  door 
of  private  communication.  The  empress  joyfully 
obeyed  the  signal;  and  these  interviews,  which 
generally  took  place  in  the  evening,  were  often 
continued  so  long  that  on  returning  she  found  all 
her  ladies  asleep. 

About  three  o'clock,  or  a  little  before,  the  em- 
press, attended  by  her  ladies,  rode  out  in  an  open 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  315 

carriage,  sometimes,  though  rarely,  accompanied  by 
her  spouse.  On  returning,  she  began  to  dress  for 
the  evening.  The  grande  toilette,  being  an  affair  of 
great  importance,  was  not  unfrequently  attended  by 
Napoleon  in  person,  especially  when  the  imperial 
pair  were  upon  some  excursion ;  for,  seldom  making 
any  change  in  his  own  costume,  Josephine's  dress- 
ing-room, unless  when  his  ministers  confined  him 
to  the  cabinet,  was  his  favourite  lounge  at  this  hour 
of  leisure.  His  presence  there,  agreeable  as  it 
might  be  to  her  to  whom  his  solicitude  in  this  respect 
gave  so  much  pleasure,  was,  however,  any  thing 
but  desired  by  the  unfortunate  tirewomen,  among 
whose  girncracks  he  occasionally  played  sad  havoc. 
It  appears  to  have  been  no  unusual  circumstance  for 
him  to  empty  every  box  within  reach,  insisting  on 
the  empress  making  essay  of  various  dresses,  in 
order  that  he  might  decide  which  were  most  be- 
coming. He  would  treat  in  like  manner  all  the 
jewel  cases  he  could  lay  hands  on,  knocking  about 
their  precious  contents,  as  he  threw  them  in  suc- 
cession from  him,  after  trying  their  effect.  In  this 
way,  he  once  actually  went  through  the  whole 
wardrobe  and  parure  destined  for  a  journey  of  weeks. 
Sometimes  the  empress,  though  possessed  of  ex- 
quisite taste,  had  the  misfortune  to  choose  a  costume 
displeasing  to  her  lord ;  if  the  offending  dress  made 
a  second  appearance,  his  disapprobation  certainly 
followed  in  some  marked  manner ;  and  he  once  threw 
the  contents  of  an  inkglass  on  an  offensive  robe  of 
blue  and  silver  tissue,  as  Josephine,  fully  dressed 
for  the  evening,  entered  his  cabinet. 

At  six  o'clock  dinner  was  served;  but,  unless 
on  very  particular  occasions,  Napoleon  forgot,  and 
delayed  it  indefinitely.  Hence,  in  the  annals  of  the 
imperial  table,  dinners  at  nine,  and  even  ten  o'clock, 
are  not  unfrequent.  Their  majesties  always  dined 
together — alone,  or  with  a  few  invited  guests,  mem- 
bers of  the  imperial  family  or  of  the  ministry. 


316  MEMOIRS    OF 

Invitations  were  delivered  by  the  grand  master  of 
the  ceremonies,  who  informed  the  grand  marshal  of 
the  necessary  arrangements,  and  in  what  manner 
the  guests  should  sit ;  the  grand  marshal,  again,  re- 
ceived his  orders  directly  from  the  severe  ign.  When 
their  majesties  dined  en  grand  convert,  their  table  was 
placed  under  a  canopy  on  a  platform  elevated  one 
step,  and  with  two  armchairs,  one  on  the  right  for 
the  emperor,  the  other  on  the  left  for  Josephine, 
the  former  wearing  a  hat  with  plumes,  and  his  con- 
sort a  diadem.  Their  majesties  were  informed  by 
the  grand  marshal  when  the  preparations  were  com- 
pleted, and  entered  the  room  in  the  following  order : 
— Pages,  assistant  master  of  the  ceremonies,  pre- 
fects of  the  palace,  first  prefect  and  a  master  of  the 
ceremonies,  the  grand  marshal  and  grand  master  of 
the  ceremonies ;  the  empress,  attended  by  her  first 
equery  and  first  chamberlain ;  the  emperor,  colonel- 
general  of  the  guard,  grand  chamberlain,  and  grand 
equery ;  the  grand  almoner,  who  blessed  the  meat, 
and  retired,  leaving  their  majesties  to  a  solitary 
board,  unless  when  guests  of  kingly  rank  were  pres- 
ent, or  humbler  ones  sat  down  there  by  invitation. 
The  pages  performed  the  more  subordinate,  and  the 
stewards  the  menial  part  of  the  service  at  the  im- 
perial table ;  but  the  immediate  wants  of  their  majes- 
ties were  ministered  to  by  the  grand  marshal  (Duroc, 
Duke  de  Friuli),  first  chamberlain  (Comte  de  Beau- 
mont), the  first  equery  (Comte  d'Harville),  and  the 
chamberlains  (all  noblemen)  in  turn.  The  other 
tables  were  served  by  the  stewards  and  attendants 
in  livery.  But  when  the  repast  was  in  private,  it 
took  place  in  a  small  interior  dining-room,  without 
any  etiquette,  generally  some  of  the  members  of  the 
court,  and  especially  the  grand  marshal,  sitting  down 
with  their  majesties.  On  these  occasions,  much 
more  frequent  than  the  dinners  of  ceremony,  favour- 
ite attendants,  named  by  Napoleon,  waited  at  table. 
Napoleon  always  ate  hastily,  rarely  remaining 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  317 

above  ten  minutes  at  table ;  so  that  those  who  knew 
him  well  took  care  to  be  prepared  beforehand.  The 
viceroy  claims  the  merit  of  this  invention.  "  Nay, 
Eugene,  you  have  not  had  time  to  dine,"  said  Napo- 
leon, seeing  him  rise  from  table  with  himself.  "  Par- 
don me,"  replied  the  prince,  "  I  dined  in  advance." — 
"  A  prudent  foresight,"  said  the  emperor,  laughing. 
On  Napoleon  rising  in  this  hurried  manner,  Josephine 
made  a  sign  to  those  who  dined  with  them  to  remain, 
but  followed  herself  into  a  small  saloon.  Here  a 
page  brought  the  ingredients  in  utensils  of  silver  gilt, 
upon  a  gold  tray;  and  the  empress  poured  out  and 
sugared  a  small  cup  of  coffee,  tasted,  by  sipping  a 
few  drops,  then  presented  it  to  the  emperor.  These 
precautions  she  took  because  at  first,  in  his  moments 
of  absence,  he  sometimes  drank  it  cold,  or  without 
or  with  too  much  sugar,  and  sometimes  two  cups  in 
succession ;  any  of  which  irregularities  made  him 
ill,  and  hence,  probably,  the  stories  of  his  immode- 
rate use  of  this  beverage.  This  custom  of  eating 
so  precipitately  both  induced  slovenly  habits  and  fre- 
quently caused  sickness.  Napoleon  not  only  dis- 
pensed with  the  use  of  his  knife  and  fork  as  respected 
his  own  plate,  but  also  helped  himself  with  his  fingers 
from  the  dishes  nearest  him,  and  dipped  his  bread  in 
the  sauce.  In  the  attacks  of  indigestion,  which  were 
often  very  severe,  and  attended  with  vomiting,  no- 
thing could  exceed  the  anxious  tenderness  of  Jose- 
phine ;  for  Napoleon  supported  this  sickness  with 
scarcely  a  degree  of  composure. 

On  the  first  symptoms  of  the  malady,  he  flung  him- 
self at  full  length  on  the  carpet  of  his  bedroom,  and 
Josephine  was  instantly  by  his  side.  She  rested  his 
head  on  her  knees,  stroking  his  temples,  and  apply- 
ing frictions  of  eau  de  Cologne  to  his  breast,  con- 
soling and  encouraging  him  in  the  best  way  she 
could.  A  few  cups  of  tea  seldom  failed  to  remove 
the  acute  pain ;  but  he  remained  for  a  length  of  time 
feeble  and  exhausted,  when  Josephine,  in  her  most 
Dd2 


318  MEMOIRS    OF 

touching  accents,  would  say,  "  Now  you  are  better, 
will  you  lie  down  a  little  1  I  will  remain  with  Con- 
stant by  your  bedside."  These  attacks  and  the 
manner  of  treatment  have  probably  given  rise  to  the 
idea  that  Napoleon  was  subject  to  epileptic  fits.  One 
of  the  longest  and  most  severe  indispositions  of  this 
kind  occurred  during  the  excursion  to  Mayence,  and 
in  the  night.  Josephine,  in  perfect  darkness,  for  the 
chamber  light  had  been  extinguished,  and  not  wish- 
ing to  awake  any  one,  assured  that  nobody  but  her- 
self would  be  tolerated  in  the  apartment,  threw 
some  part  of  her  dress  about  her,  and  groped  her 
way  to  the  chamber  of  the  aid-de-camp  on  duty, 
from  whom,  astonished  as  he  felt  at  such  a  visit,  she 
obtained  a  light,  and  continued  alone  to  watch  over 
and  apply  remedies  to  her  husband.  Next  day  both 
appeared  languid  and  fatigued.  How  selfish  and  un- 
grateful a  being  must  Napoleon  have  been,  when,  on 
the  very  same  excursion,  he,  with  his  own  hand, 
almost  dragged  Josephine  from  bed  to  attend  a  ball, 
while  suffering  under  one  of  those  nervous  headaches 
which  frequently  caused  her  absolute  torture.  The 
first  lady  of  honour,  Madame  de  Rochefoucauld,  wit- 
nessed this  barbarity,  which  she  mentioned  with  tears. 
Josephine  appeared  at  the  ball  and  reception  with  her 
usual  kindness  and  grace,  remained  the  requisite  time, 
but  almost  fainted  on  returning  to  her  apartments, 
yet  without  uttering  a  single  murmur  of  complaint. 
After  dinner,  the  empress  passed  the  evening  in 
her  usual  circle,  or  with  a  small  party,  either  invited, 
or  consisting  of  favourite  ministers  and  officers,  who, 
having  come  on  business,  had  been  detained  by  the 
emperor.  When  there  were  no  receptions,  concerts, 
or  theatre,  every  one  retired  at  midnight ;  but  Jose- 
phine, who  loved  to  sit  up,  continued  to  play  at  back- 
gammon with  one  of  her  chamberlains,  usually  the 
Comte  de  Beaumont,  long  after  the  palace  had  been 
left  to  a  repose,  interrupted  only  by  the  heavy  tread 
of  the  sentinel  in  the  court  below. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  319 

Such  was  the  general  tenor  of  Josephine's  life, 
diversified  as  it  might  be  by  casual  occurrences. — 
The  most  common  interruptions  of  its  sameness, 
besides  the  more  lengthened  excursions  already  de- 
lineated, were  short  journeys  to  the  various  royal 
residences,  especially  Rambouillet  and  Fontainbleau, 
of  which  Napoleon  was  remarkably  fond,  and  where 
many  of  the  most  signal  incidents  in  his  career  took 
place.  Hunting-parties  formed  the  great  amuse- 
ment in  these  retreats, — an  aristocratic  exercise, 
of  which,  because  it  was  so,  Napoleon  only  pre- 
tended to  be  fond.  The  empress,  attended  by  her 
ladies,  followed  the  chase  in  an  open  caleche,  at- 
tired in  a  riding-dress  with  white  feathers,  and  a 
round  hat;  the  gentlemen  also  wore  a  particular 
coat  of  green ;  every  other  etiquette  was  dispensed 
with,  a  dejeuner  d  la  fourchette  being  laid  out  on 
tables  beneath  the  forest  boughs,  to  which  all  the 
hunting-party  received  invitations.  Once,  during  a 
very  long  chase,  the  stag,  hard  pressed,  took  shelter 
beneath  the  carriage  of  the  empress,  who  begged 
the  poor  animal's  life  ;  and  to  mark  it  as  her  peculiar 
favourite  and  protegee,  had  a  silver  collar  put  round 
the  neck.  Such  distinction  from  the  fair  hand  of  the 
"  good  Josephine"  was  sure  protection  against  the 
rifle  of  every  noble  professor  of  woodcraft ;  and  the 
stag  long  roamed  its  native  glades  unhurt,  till  some 
churl  brought  it  down,  after  its  gentle  mistress  could 
no  longer  protect  her  dependants.  The  subject  of 
hunting  naturally  leads  to  Napoleon's  horsemanship, 
on  which  the  most  absurd  encomiums  have  been 
passed.  But  the  truth  is,  he  was  an  ungraceful 
rider,  and  seemed  a  firm  one  only  because  the  most 
extraordinary  pains  were  bestowed  on  the  training 
of  his  horses.  They  were  first  selected  with  the 
greatest  care,  as  respected  their  dispositions  and  af- 
terward went  through  a  most  severe  syst^xo  of  dis- 
cipline, being  assailed  by  every  species  Of  annoyance, 
—blows,  fireworks,  discharges  of  musketry,  beating 


320  MEMOIRS    0* 

of  drums,  waving  of  banners,  and  even  dead  car- 
casses thrown  among  their  feet,  till  they  were  per- 
fectly accustomed  to  bear  unmoved  every  sound  or 
sight  likely  to  occur  on  the  field  of  battle.  Even 
after  all  this,  the  emperor  could  never  manage  a 
horse  well,  save  at  full  gallop ;  and  the  feat,  of  which 
so  much  has  been  said,  of  his  almost  instantly 
stopping  in  mid  career,  was  the  result  of  practice  in 
the  animal,  more  than  of  skill  in  the  rider. 

The  enmity  of  the  JBonaparte  family  against  Jose- 
phine, and  the  folly  of  their  conduct,  have  already 
been  noticed.  In  her  private  society,  at  least  before 
their  various  dispersion  to  their  respective  kingdoms, 
principalities,  archdukedoms,  &c.,  they  of  course 
mingled  habitually.  Her  conduct  towards  these 
relatives  showed  a  perfect  candour  and  firmness, 
which  imperceptibly  gained  respect  and  influence 
tven  over  dislike.  That  influence  was  uniformly 
exerted  to  bring  back  peace  and  reconciliation  be- 
tween the  members  of  a  family  who  were  perpetually 
squabbling,  and  who  owed  every  thing  to  the  affec- 
tion, and  nothing  to  the  respect,  of  Napoleon.  The 
two  following  letters,  with  which  we  close  this 
chapter,  are  honourable  illustrations  of  these  facts. 

The  Empress  to  Madame  Caroline  Murat. 

"  You  are  not,  my  sister,  an  ordinary  woman ; — 
and  therefore  I  write  to  you  after  a  fashion  very 
different  from  that  which  I  would  employ  with  a 
commonplace  character.  I  tell  you  frankly,  and 
without  reserve,  that  I  am  dissatisfied  with  you. — 
How !  you  actually  torture  the  poor  Murat !  you  make 
him  shed  tears  !  With  so  many  means  of  pleasing, 
why  do  you  ever  prefer  to  command  ?  Your  husband 
obeys  through  fear,  when  he  ought  to  yield  to  per- 
suasion alone.  By  thus  usurping  a  part  which  does 
not  belong  to  us,  you  convert  a  brave  man  into  a 
timid  slave,  and  yourself  into  an  exacting  tyrant.—* 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  321 

This  brings  shame  to  him,  and  cannot  be  an  honoui 
to  you.  Our  glory — the  glory  of  woman — lies  in 
submission ;  and  if  it  be  permitted  us  to  reign,  our 
empire  rests  on  gentleness  and  goodness.  Your 
husband,  already  so  great  in  the  opinion  of  the  world, 
through  his  valour  and  exploits,  feels  as  if  he  beheld 
all  his  laurels  brought  to  the  dust  on  appearing  in 
your  presence.  You  take  a  pride  in  humbling  them 
before  your  pretensions ;  and  the  title  of  being  the 
sister  of  a  hero  is,  with  you,  reason  for  believing 
yourself  a  heroine.  Believe  me,  my  sister,  that 
character,  with  the  qualities  which  it  supposes,  be- 
comes us  not.  Let  us  joy  modestly  in  the  glory  of 
our  spouses,  and  place  ours  in  softening  their  man- 
ners, and  leading  the  world  to  pardon  their  deeds. 
Let  us  merit  this  praise,  that  the  nation,  while  it  ap- 
plauds the  bravery  of  our  husbands,  may  also  com 
mend  the  gentleness  bestowed  by  Providence  on 
their  wives  to  temper  that  bravery." 

fhe  Empress  to  Napoleorfs  Mother. 

"MADAM  AND  MOST  HONOURED  MOTHER, — Employ 
the  ascendency  which  your  experience,  dignity,  vir- 
tues, and  the  love  of  the  emperor  give,  in  order  to 
restore  to  his  family  that  internal  peace  now  ban- 
ished from  it.  I  fear  to  intrude  in  these  domestic 
dissensions,  from  the  apprehension  lest  calumny 
should  accuse  me  of  inflaming  them  by  such  inter- 
ference. It  belongs  to  you,  madam,  to  bring  back 
calm ;  and  for  this  purpose,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
say  that  you  are  informed  of  these  discords.  Your 
prudence  will  have  commenced  the  work  by  point- 
ing out  the  evil,  and  will  speedily  discover  the 
remedy.  I  name  no  person,  but  your  sagacity  will  di- 
vine all  concerned.  You  are  not  a  stranger  to  human 
passion;  and  vice,  which  has  never  approached 
you,  will  discover  itself  in  those  who  are  dear  to 
you,  through  the  very  interest  which  you  take  in 


322  MEMOIRS    Ofr 

their  welfare.  You  will  not  be  long1  in  remarking 
the  progress  of  ambition,  perhaps  that  of  cupidity, 
in  more  than  one  mind,  ingenuous  till  now,  but 
which  the  favours  of  fortune  begin  to  corrupt.  You 
will  view  with  apprehension  the  constantly  in- 
creasing ravages  of  luxury,  and,  with  still  more  pain, 
the  want  of  feeling  that  follows  in  its  train.  I  do 
not,  however,  insist  upon  this  accusation,  because, 
perhaps,  it  has  less  foundation  than  the  rest,  and  be- 
cause it  is  not  impossible  I  may  have  taken  for  hard- 
ness of  heart  what  was  only  intoxication  of  spirit. 
Be  this,  however,  as  it  may,  the  effect  is  the  same, 
manifested  as  this  haughtiness  is  by  vanity,  insolence, 
and  harsh  refusals,  producing  deplorable  impressions 
upon  those  who  witness  these  outrages.  Men  are 
not  slow  to  sharpen  the  memory  of  those  who  seem 
disposed  to  forget  their  origin,  and  the  sole  means 
of  inducing  others  to  pardon  our  good  fortune  is  to 
enjoy  it  with  moderation,  sharing  its  gifts  with  those 
who  have  been  less  favoured." 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  323 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Young  Napoleon  of  Holland— His  Death,  and  Anecdotes  of  his  Dispo- 
sition — Josephine  at  Bayonne — Extracts  from  her  Journal— Opinions 
of  the  Affairs  of  Spain— Return  to  St.  Cloud,  and  last  Game  at  "  Pris- 
oners' Base"— Interview  at  Brfurth,  and  Napoleon's  Dream — Second 
Campaign  of  Vienna — Death  of  Lannes,  and  Connexion  of  Events 
•with  the  Divorce— Treaty  of  Schoenbrunn,  and  Return  of  Napoleon 
—  Scenes  at  Fontainbleau— Announcement  of  the  Divorce— Misery 
and  Resignation  of  Josephine — Letter  to  Napoleon— Eugene  and  Hor- 
tense— Consummation  of  the  Divorce,  and  Departure  of  the  Empress 
—Her  Manner  of  Life  at  Malmaison  and  Navarre— Birth  of  the  King 
of  Rome— Letters  and  Anecdotes  illustrative  of  Josephine's  Interest 
in  Maria  Louisa  and  her  Son — Russian  and  Saxon  Campaigns— Re- 
verses of  Napoleon,  and  Attachment  of  Josephine— Their  Correspond- 
ence—Abdication— Attentions  shown  to  Josephine— Her  last  Illness- 
Death— and  Character. 

THE  misfortunes  and  wrongs  of  the  empress  may 
be  considered  as  having  commenced  in  the  spring  of 
1807,  with  the  death  of  her  grandson  the  prince- 
royal  of  Holland.  The  boy,  then  in  his  fifth  year, 
evinced,  from  earliest  infancy,  the  happiest  dispo- 
sitions, and  had  gained,  in  an  astonishing  manner, 
upon  the  affections  and  hopes  of  his  uncle.  He 
was,  besides,  the  first-born;  and,  except  his  two 
brothers,  the  only  acknowledged  son  of  the  impe- 
rial family  in  direct  male  lineage ;  his  father  was  the 
emperor's  favourite  brother,  and  his  birth  drew  more 
closely  the  ties  which  united  his  wife  and  her  children 
to  the  affections  of  Napoleon.  There  appears,  there- 
fore, no  reason  for  discrediting  the  belief  then  gene- 
rally entertained  of  the  emperor's  intention  to  adopt 
the  child.  Thus,  in  the  offspring  of  her  daughter, 
Josephine  would  have  given  a  successor  to  the  throne 
of  France,  and,  as  has  been  remarked  by  a  French 
writer, "  her  own  sorrows,  perhaps  all  the  evils  that 
followed,  might  have  been  prevented."  This  much 
is  certain,  that  no  serious  intentions  of  divorce  mani- 


324  MEMOIRS  or 

fested  themselves  from  the  time  of  the  child's  birth 
and  that,  during  the  summer  which  succeeded  r. 
death,  overtures  were  made  to  Alexander  at  Tilsit 
relative  to  an  imperial  alliance  with  a  princess  of  his 
house.  Even  in  the  midst  of  the  triumphs  of  thai 
campaign,  Napoleon  showed  himself  strongly  af- 
fected by  the  loss  of  his  little  favourite,  and  sub- 
sequently was  often  heard  to  ejaculate,  amid  the 
labours  of  his  cabinet,  "  To  whom  shall  I  leave  all 
this  r 

The  boy  upon  whom  the  destinies  of  so  great  an 
empire  may  thus  be  said  to  have  rested  died  at  the 
Hague,  after  a  few  hours'  illness,  of  the  croup.  So 
sudden  and  fatal  was  the  attack,  that  before  Corvi- 
sart's  directions  could  be  received,  which,  from  his 
knowledge  of  the  complaint,  might  have  provec 
effectual,  the  child  had  ceased  to  live.*  Hortense 
never  quitted  the  room  for  an  instant.  When  al 
was  over,  her  attendants  endeavoured  gently  to  wile 
her  from  the  apartment :  but  divining  their  purpose 
even  in  the  distraction  of  grief,  she  clung  with  such 
convulsive  grasp  to  a  sofa  by  the  bed  of  her  child 
that  her  arms  could  not  be  unfolded,  and  she  was 
carried  out  in  this  condition.  For  hours  the  mosi 
alarming  apprehensions  were  entertained  for  the 
queen's  life.  In  vain  were  remedies  applied ;  her 
eyes  continued  fixed  and  without  a  tear,  her  breath- 
ing oppressed,  and  her  limbs  rigid  and  motionless, 
till  one  of  the  chamberlains,  bearing  in  the  dead  body 
of  the  little  prince,  laid  it  on  the  mother's  knees, 
leaving  the  rest  to  nature.  The  sight  of  her  son,  now 
shrouded  in  the  peaceful  attire  of  the  grave,  recalled 
the  unhappy  Hortense  to  a  more  present  and  tender 
sentiment  of  her  loss ;  she  caught  the  inanimate  form 
to  her  bosom,  and  despair  yielded  to  the  sweet  agony 
of  tears. 

To  Josephine  this  loss  was  irremediable;   hers 

*  Corvisart,  Napoleon's  private  physician,  was  the  first  who  made 
•uceessful  researches  on  this  disease. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  325 

was  a  grief  not  less  acute,  yet  greater  than  a  mother's 
sorrow ;  for  while  she  grieved  for  a  beloved  child, 
she  trembled  to  think  what  might  be  the  conse- 
quences to  herself.  Naturally  fond  of  children,  she 
had  loved  the  young  Napoleon  Charles  with  a  ten- 
derness corresponding  to  the  hopes  concentrated  on 
his  head.  After  receiving  intelligence  of  a  bereave- 
ment which  had  reached  her,  before  she  had  perfect 
knowledge  that  the  blow  was  menaced,  she  shut  her- 
self up  for  three  days,  weeping  bitterly ;  and,  as  if  to 
nourish  grief,  collecting  around  her  his  portrait,  his 
hair,  his  playthings, — every  relic  that  might  recall 
the  image  of  her  grandson.  A  melancholy  coinci- 
dence added  to  the  poignancy  of  her  sorrow  on  the 
sight  of  the  portrait.  Some  time  before  setting  out 
for  the  campaign  of  Tilsit,  the  emperor  had  held  a 
review  of  the  guard,  and,  on  retiring  to  his  apart- 
ments in  the  Tuileries,  had,  according  to  custom, 
flung  his  sword  on  one  seat  and  his  hat  on  another, 
continuing  to  walk  through  the  saloon  in  conversa- 
tion with  Josephine.  Meanwhile,  the  child  had  en- 
tered unobserved,  and,  putting  the  swordbelt  over 
his  little  neck,  and  the  hat  upon  his  head,  began  to 
follow  behind  his  uncle  with  military  step,  attempt- 
ing, at  the  same  time,  to  whistle  a  favourite  march. 
Napoleon  turned  round,  took  the  boy  in  his  arms, 
and  kissed  him  fondly,  saying,  "  See,  Josephine, 
what  a  charming  picture !"  The  empress,  ever  stu- 
dious to  gratify  her  husband,  had  the  young  prince 
painted  in  this  costume  by  Gerard.  The  portrait 
was  sent  to  St.  Cloud  on  the  very  morning  which 
brought  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of  the 
ori  c^inal. 

The  boy  was  very  like  his  father,  and,  consequently, 
bore  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  emperor.  His  hair 
was  fair,  his  eyes  blue,  and  his  countenance  marked 
with  extraordinary  intelligence.  He  was  likewise 
extremely  fond  of  his  uncle,  who,  in  turn,  doted 
upon  him  as  if  he  had  been  his  own  child.  When 
Ee 


326  'MEMOIRS  OF 

only  three  years  of  age,  observing  one  morning  that 
his  shoemaker's  bill  was  paid  in  five-franc  pieces 
stamped  with  the  head  of  Napoleon,  he  fell  a-crying 
bitterly,  repeating,  "  It  is  very  naughty  to  give  away 
the  picture  of  uncle  Bibwhe."  This  appellation  the 
boy  had  applied  to  the  emperor  from  the  following 
circumstance: — Josephine  kept  several  gazelles  in 
the  park  of  St.  Cloud,  which,  though  shy  to  every 
one  else,  willingly  followed  Napoleon,  who  had  con- 
trived to  render  them  perfectly  tame  by  giving  them 
snuff  from  his  box.  His  little  nephew  always  formed 
one  in  the  party  with  the  gazelles,  assisting  in  giving 
them  snuff,  and  even  getting  upon  the  backs  of  these 
beautiful  creatures.  From  observing  the  effect  pro- 
duced by  his  uncle's  rappee,  the  child,  imitating  the 
sound  of  sneezing,  naturally  used  the  word  Bibiche. 
This  name,  however  applied  to  Napoleon,  was  used 
only  with  his  familiars ;  for  the  little  prince  seemed 
to  have  an  innate  feeling  of  the  latter's  dignity.  One 
morning,  for  example,  when  silently  making  his  way 
through  the  saloon,  amid  a  crowd  of  distinguished  per- 
sonages, Murat,  then  Grand  Duke  of  Berg,  caught  him 
in  his  arms.  "  What !  Napoleon,  not  bid  me  good 
morning !" — "  No,"  said  the  child,  disengaging  him- 
self, "  not  before  my  uncle  the  emperor."  In  like 
manner,  every  thing  he  received  from  his  uncle  was 
preferred  to  all  others.  King  Louis,  who  loved  him 
tenderly,  seeing  he  disregarded  some  new  playthings 
he  had  just  brought  him,  said,  "  Why,  my  dear  child, 
look  how  very  ugly  the  old  ones  are !" — "  Ah !  yes, 
papa,  but  I  got  them  from  my  uncle."  The  empress, 
too,  was  greatly  beloved  by  her  grandson,  and  all 
her  gifts  highly  prized.  Knowing  this,  Hortense  was 
much  surprised  to  find,  that  on  the  day  of  the  new 
year  immediately  preceding  his  death  he  did  not 
seem  so  delighted  as  usual  with  grandmamma's  cus- 
tomary presents.  The  queen,  with  her  son  on  her 
knee,  was  seated  by  a  window  fronting  the  grand 
avenue  of  the  palace  of  the  Hacue ;  the  day  was  wet, 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  327 

and  the  road  very  dirty.  The  child,  indifferent  to 
the  toys  beside  him,  continued  looking  out.  "  So, 
then,  Napoleon,  you  are  not  grateful  for  grand- 
mamma's kindness  ?" — "  Oh !  yes,  mamma ;  but  then 
she  is  so  good,  I  am  used  to  it." — "  Is  there  anything 
else  ?" — "  Yes,  mamma ;  but — look  at  these  little 
boj^s." — "  Well,  do  you  wish  money  to  give  them  ?" 
— "  No ;  papa  gave  me  some  this  morning,  and  it  is 
given  away." — "  Well,  what  ails  my  dear  child  ]" — 
"  Oh,  I  know  you  won't  let  me ;  but  if  I  could  run 
about  in  that  beautiful  puddle,  it  would  amuse  me 
more  than  even  good  grandmamma's  presents!" 
What  chiefly  delighted  Napoleon  was,  the  firmness 
of  character,  and,  if  the  desires  of  a  child  may  be  so 
termed,  the  predilection  for  war  displayed  by  his 
intended  heir.  Often,  in  their  amusements,  the  em- 
peror would  put  these  qualities  to  curious  but  severe 
tests.  At  breakfast,  he  would  seat  him  upon  his 
knee,  making  the  poor  little  fellow  taste  of  such 
things  as  are  usually  most  annoying  to  children ;  the 
spirited  boy  would  try  to  look  stern,  but  never  re- 
fused to  take  what  was  offered,Uhough  spite  and 
vexation  were  painted  on  every  feature  of  his  really 
beautiful  countenance.  Strawberries  (and  it  is  cu- 
rious that  the  fruit  produced  similar  effects  on  Maria 
Louisa's  son)  always  brought  on  severe  indispo- 
sition. Though  a  favourite  dish,  they  were,  of 
course,  strictly  prohibited ;  but  one  day  the  prince 
had  so  wrought  upon  his  nurse,  that  she  permitted 
him  to  eat  a  large  quantity.  Therusual  consequence 
ensued  ;  he  was  attacked  by  sickness  and  vomiting 
Hortense  insisted  on  knowing  who  had  disobeyed 
her  orders.  "  Mamma,"  said  the  courageous  boy, 
though  still  suffering, "  you  may  punish  me,  but  I 
gave  my  word  not  to  tell,  and  I  will  never  break  my 
promise."  An  affecting  circumstance  is  the  solici- 
tude shown  by  this  singular  child  in  his  parents' 
unhappy  misunderstandings;  on  observing  their 
estrangement,  he  would  take  his  father's  hand,  who 


328  MEMOIRS    OF 

thus  suffered  himself  to  be  conducted  to  the  queen 
and  the  artless  pleadings  of  their  son  rarely  failed 
to  reconcile  two  beings  possessing  great  goodness 
of  heart,  but  both  suffering  from  the  not  uncommon 
calamity  in  married  life  of  misunderstanding  each 
other's  feelings. 

Napoleon  reached  St.  Cloud  from  Tilsit  on  the  27th 
of  July,  passing  the  remainder  of  the  summer  and 
autumn  with  the  empress  there,  or  at  Fontainbleau, 
coming  to  Paris  only  to  hold  receptions,  and  never 
remaining  longer  than  twenty-four  hours.  The  em- 
peror never  appeared  more  attentive  to  Josephine 
than  during  this  retreat,  as  it-might  almost  be  termed. 
They  often  rode  out  in  an  open  carriage  alone,  with- 
out guards  or  attendants ;  but  Napoleon  betrayed  a 
restlessness  and  impatience  of  repose  which  did  not 
escape  observation,  and  urged  him  to  pursue  the 
chase  as  if  with  the  ardour  of  a  real  passion.  This 
may  have  given  rise  in  part  to  such  surmises; 
but  certain  it  is,  that  even  then  whispers  of  a  divorce 
escaped  the  initiated.  This  kind  of  life  continued, 
with  little  variation,  till  the  middle  of  November, 
when  the  imperial  pair  suddenly,  as  usual,  set  off  for 
Italy,  travelling  with  such  speed  that  Eugene  had  no 
knowledge  of  the  intended  visit  until  the  emperor 
had  approached  within  two  miles  of  Milan.  The 
viceroy  got  to  horse  instantly,  attended  by  a  few  of 
his  principal  officers.  On  the  meeting  of  the  rela- 
tives, Napoleon  extended  his  hand:  "  Come,  Eugene, 
seat  yourself  here,  and  let  us  enter  your  capital  to- 
gether." The  Milan  decree,  which  declared  the  son 
of  Josephine  successor  to  the  iron  crown,  seemed 
more  firmly  to  establish  the  family  connexion ;  but 
in  all  this  writers  have  seen  only  a  prelude  to  the 
divorce,  and  an  intention,  by  working  upon  his  grati- 
tude, to  render  Eugene  more  complaisant  in  the  con- 
templated arrangements.  These  afterthoughts  might 
very  probably  have  been  entertained,  but  weighty 
reasons  of  foreign  policy  required  Napoleon's  survey 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  329 

of  Italy ;  and  the  following  important  incident  shows 
that  he  was  still  anything  but  insensible  to  the 
claims  of  Josephine.  Leaving  the  empress  with  her 
daughter-in-law  at  Milan,  Napoleon  and  the  viceroy 
set  out  on  the  tour  of  Lombardy,  as  far  as  Venice. 
At  Mantua,  the  emperor  had  invited  to  a  private 
conference  his  brother  Lucien,  with  whom  he  had 
held  no  intercourse  since  the  marriage  of  the  latter 
with  Madame  Jouberton,  the  divorced  wife  of  a  mer- 
chant, or  pawnbroker,  as  some  say,  and  at  that  time 
a  bankrupt  in  America.  On  the  occasion  of  this 
interview,  Duroc,  grand  marshal  of  the  household, 
directed  the  favourite  attendant  of  the  emperor  to 
wait  in  an  antechamber  adjoining  to  his  master's 
sleeping  apartment,  with  orders  to  admit  no  one  else. 
This  was  about  six  in  the  evening ;  in  a  few  minutes 
after,  Lucien  knocked,  made  himself  known,  and  was 
ushered  into  the  bedchamber, where  Napoleon  waited 
his  approach.  The  brothers  coldly  saluted,  and  the 
door  closed.  In  a  little  time  their  discourse  became 
so  loud  and  animated,  that  the  attendant  in  the  adja- 
cent apartment  could  not  avoid  overhearing  the 
whole ;  and  his  account,  in  substance,  agrees  with 
Duroc's  confession  to  Bourrienne.  The  emperor 
urged  his  brother  to  dissolve  a  disgraceful  marriage, 
holding  out  a  crown  or  his  displeasure  as  the  alter- 
native. Lucien  refused  "  to  abandon  the  mother  of 
his  children."  The  altercation  became  more  and 
more  violent.  "  We  shall  see,"  cried  Napoleon, "  to 
what  you  will  be  reduced  by  your  obstinacy  and 
foolish  passion  for  a  woman  of  gallantry" — "  At 
least,"  retorted  Lucien,  "  my  woman  of  gallantry  is 
young  and  handsome."  This  allusion  to  the  empress 
stung  Napoleon  to  the  very  core.  He  held  his  watch 
in  his  hand,  which  he  dashed  into  fragments  against 
the  floor,  exclaiming,  "  I  could  crush  you  as  I  do  that 
bauble ;  but  you  are  my  brother ; — go  !"  The  angry 
conference  lasted  above  an  hour  Lucien  came  out 
from  it  in  a  state  of  terrible  agitation,  pale,  trem- 
E  e2 


330  MEMOIRS    OF 

bling,  his  eyes  inflamed,  and  overflowing  with  tears- 
Its  issue  seemed  deeply  to  have  affected  Napoleon ; 
for  he  scarcely  uttered  a  single  word  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  evening.  Of  Lucien's  conduct  there 
can  be  but  one  opinion;  that  it  was  generous  in 
the  disinterested  attachment  evinced  for  his  own 
wife,  but  most  unmanly  as  respects  the  attack  on 
Josephine. 

From  this  hasty  Italian  tour  Napoleon  and  the 
empress  returned  to  Paris  on  the  evening  of  new- 
year's  day,  1808.  A  few  days  after  were  celebrated 
the  nuptials  of  Mademoiselle  de  Tascher,  niece  to 
Josephine,  with  the  Duke  d'Arberg,  one  of  the 
princes  of  the  Confederation.  Almost  immediately 
after  followed  the  marriage  of  the  Prince  Hohen- 
zollern  with  a  niece  of  Murat,  and,  at  no  great  in- 
terval, that  of  Berthier  with  a  princess  of  Bavaria. 
All  this,  along  with  other  circumstances,  tended  to 
render  the  winter  one  of  the  gayest  which  Paris  had 
yet  witnessed  under  the  empire.  Masked  balls  were 
especial  favourites;  and  those  of  the  ambassador 
for  the  new  kingdom  of  Italy  were  distinguished  for 
their  particular  splendour.  Napoleon,  contrary  to 
his  usual  prejudice  against  such  disguisements,  re- 
solving to  be  present  and  to  dance  at  one  of  these, 
ordered  ten  different  dresses  to  be  carried  into  the 
apartment  allotted  to  him.  These  were  in  succes- 
sion assumed,  and  ten  different  times  the  wearer 
was  detected.  At  supper,  the  same  evening,  after 
his  return,  the  emperor  was  relating  to  Berthier, 
Mortier,  Duroc,  and  other  officers  present,  the  history 
of  his  unfortunate  masqueradings,  at  the  same  time 
laughing  very  heartily  at  his  want  of  success  in  un- 
playing  the  emperor.  "  Do  you  know,  gentlemen,55 
continued  Napoleon,  "  that  I  was  regularly  discov- 
ered by  a  young  lady  (jeune  dame),  who  seemed  an 
accomplished  intriguer ;  and  yet,  would  you  believe 
it,  I  could  never  recognise  ihe  flirt  ?"  Here  the  em- 
press could  no  longer  restrain  herself.  It  was  Jose- 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  331 

phine  herself  who  had  at  once  detected  her  spouse, 
and  piqued  his  curiosity.  During  the  carnival  of  the 
same  winter,  masked  balls  at  the  opera  were  de- 
scribed as  very  amusing ;  and  the  empress  entreated 
Napoleon  to  take  her  to  see  one,  but  received  a  posi- 
tive denial.  "Well,  I  shall  go  without  you,  mon 
ami" — "  As  you  please,"  said  the  emperor,  as  he 
rose  from  the  breakfast-table.  At  the  appointed 
hour  Josephine  kept  her  word ;  but  no  sooner  had 
she  set  off  for  the  ball  than  Napoleon,  sending  for 
one  of  her  femmes-de-chambre,  informed  himself 
exactly  of  the  empress's  costume,  and  followed. 
This  time  every  precaution  was  taken  against  dis- 
covery. The  emperor,  with  Duroc,  another  officer, 
and  his  own  favourite  valet,  all  in  dominoes,  entered 
a  plain  carriage,  and,  arm  in  arm,  made  their  appear- 
ance in  the  ball-room.  It  had  also  been  agreed  that 
they  should  address  each  other  by  feigned  names ; 
Napoleon  was  Auguste,  Duroc  Francois,  and  so  on. 
They  traversed  the  whole  apartments  undiscovered, 
examined  the  personages  present,  but  could  find  no 
one  in  the  slightest  degree  resembling  the  empress. 
Napoleon,  greatly  alarmed,  was  on  the  point  of  quit- 
ting the  place,  when  a  mask,  approaching,  began  to 
address  him  with  a  liveliness  and  wit  that  left  him 
little  chance  in  a  reply.  Perceiving  the  imperial 
embarrassment,  the  unknown  redoubled  exertions; 
repartee  followed  close  upon  repartee ;  one  portrait 
succeeded  to  another  as  the  originals  passed;  while 
a  state  secret,  of  no  importance  in  itself,  though 
startling  in  its  repetition,  occasionally  whispered  in 
his  ear,  made  Napoleon  exclaim,  "  Comment,  diable . 
who  are  you  ?"  The  mask  would  laugh  and  recom 
mence.  After  thus  tormenting  him  for  some  half- 
hour's  space,  the  unknown  suddenly  disappeared 
in  the  crowd.  The  emperor's  curiosity  was  very 
strongly  excited ;  but  he  had  had  enough,  and  left 
the  place  in  no  good-humour.  On  arriving  at  the 
palace,  he  found  the  empress  had  retired  for  the 


332  MEMOIRS   OF 

night.  Next  morning,  upon  seeing  Josephine,-— 
"  Well,"  said  he,  "  so  you  were  not  at  the  ball  last 
night  ?"— "  Yes,  indeed."—"  Now,  Josephine !"— "  I 
assure  you  I  was  there.  And  you,  mon  ami"  in- 
quired the  empress,  with  a  half-suppressed  smile, 
"  what  were  you  doing  all  the  evening  ?" — "  I  was 
at  work  in  my  cabinet,"  said  Napoleon,  quite  coolly. 
44  Oh,  Auguste  /"  replied  the  empress,  with  an  arch 
gesture, — and  the  whole  secret  was  divulged.  Napo- 
leon enjoyed  greatly  this  practical  joke,  which  had 
so  completely  turned  the  tables  against  his  own  con- 
trivance. It  appeared  that  the  empress,  disliking 
her  first  choice,  had  changed  her  costume,  and  de 
spite  all  his  precautions,  recognised  Napoleon  by  his 
foot  and  boot. 

On  the  5th  of  April,  Napoleon  and  Josephine  de- 
parted from  St.  Cloud  on  the  last  tour  of  any  lengtn 
which  they  were  ever  destined  to  make  in  the  society 
of  each  other.  In  its  consequences,  also,  this  jour- 
ney proved  the  most  fatal,  not  excepting  even  the 
Russian  expedition,  of  all  the  enterprises  of  Bona- 
parte ;  for,  with  his  interference  in  the  affairs  of 
Spain  commenced  the  operation  of  those  causes 
which  finally  issued  in  his  downfall.  We  speak  thus 
in  reference  only  to  the  sacred  rights  of  all  nations, 
— those  rights  vested  in  the  people ;  for,  as  respects 
Charles  and  Ferdinand,  the  representatives  and 
guardians  of  those  rights,  they  so  basely  betrayed 
their  trust,  and  their  characters  were  otherwise  so 
contemptible,  that,  personally,  they  excite  hardly  a 
transient  regret.  Even  the  kind-hearted  Josephine, 
though  she  ever  disapproved  of  the  principle,  and 
trembled  for  the  results  of  the  Spanish  war,  never 
expressed  sympathy  with  the  Spanish  sovereigns. 
"  I  cannot  esteem  the  Prince  of  Asturias"  (Ferdi- 
nand VII.),  she  said,  long  after  the  events  to  which 
she  referred ;  "  first,  from  his  conduct  towards  his 
father ;  and  next,  because  of  the  letters,  destitute  of 
every  sentiment  of  dignity,  which  he  wrote  to  Napo- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  333 

leon.  Iii  these,  he  demanded  a  wife  of  the  empe- 
ror; a  request  which  irritated  the  latter  to  a  de- 
gree I  have  seldom  seen  equalled.  'Is  it  possible,' 
Napoleon  would  frequently  exclaim  to  me,  *  that  any 
one  can  stoop  so  low !  I  give  him  any  who  belongs 
to  me!  Why,  madam,  I  would  refuse  him  your 
waiting-maid ;  persuaded,  that  even  she  would  have 
ideas  too  elevated  for  such  a  husband.' "  In  like 
manner,  what  respect  could  Josephine  entertain  for 
Charles  or  his  queen,  each  insensible  to  degradation, 
provided  they  were  permitted  to  enjoy  the  society 
of  Godoi,  the  flatterer  of  the  one  and  the  paramour 
of  the  other  "—But  we  anticipate.  The  excursion 
through  the  southern  departments  (for  under  this 
pretence  Napoleon  set  out  for  Bayonne)  continued, 
in  all,  nearly  four  months,  from  the  beginning  of  April 
to  the  end  of  July.  Frequent  allusion  has  been  made 
to  the  hasty  manner  in  which  Napoleon  determined 
on  such  journeys.  The  following  note,  addressed 
by  Josephine  to  the  Comtesse  de  la  Rochefoucauld, 
her  lady  of  honour,  then  at  Fontainbleau,  which  was 
to  be  the  first  stage  in  their  present  progress,  is  sin- 
gularly characteristic  of  the  facts  already  stated  on 
this  subject. 

"  We  set  out  at  four  this  morning,  and  will  be  with 
you  to  breakfast  at  ten.  I  hasten  to  expedite  this 
billet,  that  you  may  not  be  taken  by  surprise.  You 
know  the  emperor's  activity  and  inflexible  resolu- 
tion; both  seem  to  increase  with  events.  But  an 
hour  ago  I  was  still  completely  ignorant  of  this  de- 
parture. We  were  at  cards.  '  Be  ready,  madam,' 
said  he  to  me, '  to  get  into  your  carriage  at  midnight.' 
— *  But,'  answered  I, '  it  is  now  past  nine.' — '  It  is  so ; 
you  must  require  some  time  for  your  toilet ;  let  us 
start  at  two.' — *  Where  are  we  going,  if  you  please  V 
— *  To  Bayonne.' — *  Only  so  far !  and  my  pensioners, 
I  have  to  regulate  their  affairs.' — *  I  cannot,  madam, 
refuse  you  one  hour  for  the  unfortunate ;  take  an- 


334  MEMOIRS    OF 

other  to  write  to  your  friends, — you  will  not  forget 
Madame  de  la  Rochefoucauld.'  Good-night,  my  dear 
friend.  I  am  just  falling  asleep, — they  will  carry  me 
thus  to  my  carriage,  and  I  shall  not  awaken  till  with 
you,  to  bid  you  good-morning  and  embrace  you  with 
all  my  heart." 

Of  the  eventful  journey  thus  announced,  the  fol- 
lowing are  some  of  Josephine's  notes,  written  care- 
lessly, but  with  so  much  of  her  usual  good  sense  and 
discernment,  as  induces  regret  that  hitherto  nothing 
else  of  the  numerous  journals  she  is  understood  to 
have  kept,  and  which  are  supposed  to  have  been  de- 
posited with  her  son,  have  yet  seen  the  light : — 

"  This  evening  we  leave  St.  Cloud,  in  order  to  visit 
the  whole  of  the  western  coast  of  France.  I  shall 
trace  a  few  notes  in  pencil. 

"  At  Etampes*  we  were  stopped  by  a  number  of 
young  people  of  both  sexes,  who  presented  us,  some 
with  cherries,  others  with  roses.  The  emperor,  in 
passing  through  their  village,  sent  for  the  mayor  and 
the  curate.  The  former,  a  merry  peasant,  began  to 
banter  his  compatriots  on  the  nature  of  their  pres- 
ents. '  Certainly,'  said  the  emperor, '  however  beau- 
tiful theirs  may  be,  an  ear  of  corn  and  a  bunch  of 
grapes  would  have  been  more  rare.' — '  Here  are  three 
of  each  sort,'  replied  the  rural  magistrate ;  '  and 
confess,  sir,  that  in  April  it  is  good  farming.' — '  Na- 
ture has  been  bountiful  to  your  canton,'  observed 
the  emperor,  presenting  the  offering  to  me. — 'Accept 
it,  madam ;  and  forget  not  those  whom  Providence 
deigns  to  keep  in  mind.' — '  Providence,'  said  the  cu- 
rate, '  always  blesses  the  industrious ;  for  they  fulfil 
the  most  important  of  his  laws.' — '  Here,'  remarked 

*  Etampes  is  the  first  town  in  the  Orleannais  proceeding  from  Paris 
to  Bordeaux.  The  passage  is  interesting,  as  an  example  of  Napoleon's 
manner  with  his  subjects ;  but  how  are  we  to  explain  corn  and  grapes 
*JQ  April  ?  Was  this  one  of  his  contrivances  * 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  335 

the  emperor,  making  a  sign  for  the  postillions  to  pro- 
ceed, '  here  are  men  who  unite  flowers  and  fruits, — 
the  useful  with  the  agreeable.  They  deserve  to 
succeed.' 

"  Orleans. — The  national  guard  was  under  arms, 
and  the  authorities  in  full  attendance ;  hut  from  the 
knitting  of  his  brows,  I  saw  that  the  emperor  was 
not  pleased.  « It  is  painful  for  me,'  were  his  words 
*  to  have  to  repay  with  severity  these  expressions 
of  joy.  But  I  have  no  reproaches  to  make  to  the 
people ;  I  address  myself  to  the  authorities.  You 
perform  your  functions  improperly,  or  you  do  not 
perform  them  at  all.  How  have  the  sums  been  em- 
ployed which  I  granted  for  the  canal  ]  How  comes 
it,  that  on  the  roll  of  sales  two  thousand  arpents  of 
common,  as  divided  in  1805  and  1806,  are  totally 
suppressed  ?  I  require  restitution.  The  national  do- 
mains have  been  below  par,  and  the  purchases  more 
difficult,  during  the  last  eighteen  months, — the  date 
of  your  entering  upon  office,  Mr.  Prefect.  Whence 
are  these  things  ?  I  am  not  ignorant  that  here  there 
exist  two  opinions,  as  directly  opposed  to  the  gov- 
ernment as  they  are  to  each  other.  I  have  no  desire 
that  opinions  should  be  subjects  of  persecution ;  but 
if  they  break  out  into  deeds,  and  these  deeds  be 
crimes — no  pity !'  The  storm  passed,  the  emperor 
assumed  a  less  severe  tone,  and  talked  familiarly 
with  the  bishop  and  civil  functionaries,  not  except- 
ing even  the  prefect.  But  his  observations  were 
just.  It  is  but  too  certain,  that  in  these  departments 
of  the  Loire  the  jacobins  and  emigrants  have  in  turn 
been  protected. 

"  Bordeaux. — Here  exist  two  dispositions  perfectly 
distinct,  and  that  in  a  reverse  sense  from  those  which 
prevail  throughout  almost  the  whole  of  France. 
There  the  people  love  the  revolution,  and  the  privi- 
leged classes  alone  oppose  its  progress,  or  rather 
retard  its  results.  These  results  are  strong  and 
liberal  institutions,  which  time,  that  wears  out  all 


336  MEMOIRS   OF 

others,  wifl,  on  the  contrary,  tend  to  consolidate 
In  order  to  found  these  institutions  upon  the  ruins  of 
party,  there  required  a  conqueror  who  was  also  a 
legislator,  and  that  legislator  continuing  to  be  a  con- 
queror. All  must  unite  in  the  regeneration  of  a 
state.  To  chain  down  faction,  by  converting  its  pas* 
sions  into  common  interests,  is  but  little, — nothing 
more,  at  most,  than  half  the  work, — if  to  these 
neighbouring  interests  be  not  attached.  Before  we 
can  be  master  at  home,  at  once  happy  and  glorious 
there,  we  must  neither  be  under  apprehensions  from 
each  other,  nor  dread  the  process  of  erecting  a  wall 
of  partition.  But  how  is  this  to  be  accomplished  1 
First,  by  reducing  all  to  submission,  and  then  by  ex* 
tending  to  each  a  friendly  hand,  which  may  secure 
without  humbling.  This  is  the  emperor's  doctrine, 
which  he  has  applied  to  France,  which  France  has 
devotedly  accepted ;  readily  comprehending  that  a 
period  of  transition,  of  trial,  of  reparation,  could  not 
be  an  era  of  enjoyment.  '  To-day,'  has  the  emperor 
often  said  to  me,  *  to-day  we  sow  in  tears  and  in 
blood;  hereaftei  we  shall  reap  glory  and  liberty.' 
This  is  exactly  what  mercantile  selfishness  prevents 
them  from  understanding  at  Bordeaux.  Altogether 
opposed  to  the  rest  of  the  empire,  the  body  of  the 
people  here  oppose  the  new  institutions ;  they  per- 
ceive only  the  temporary  obstacle  which  these  insti- 
tutions present,  not  to  commerce,  but  to  their  own 
particular  commerce.  What  to  them  imports  the 
good  of  to-morrow  1  It  is  the  profit  of  to-day  they 
want.  Some  facts  have  confirmed  these  observa- 
tions. While  we  were  on  our  way  to  the  theatre 
the  vivas  of  the  crowd  were  rare,  but  within  the 
house  the  applause  was  general  and  continued.  The 
coup  (Fail  of  the  port  is  magnificent ;  all  the  ships 
were  hung  with  flags  and  fired  minute  guns,  to  which 
the  forts  replied.  The  whole  of  the  animated,  and, 
despite  its  discontent,  joyous  population,  the  variety 
of  sounds,  songs,  movements,  and  costumes,  pre- 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  337 

sented  a  delightful  sight.  We  were  particularly 
struck  on  seeing  a  southern  dance  executed  by  three 
hundred  young  persons  of  both  sexes,  in  small  brown 
jackets,  blue  pantaloons,  red  sashes,  straw  hats 
turned  up  with  ribands  and  flowers,  who,  guided  by 
various  instruments,  and  each  with  castanets  or  a 
tambarine,  darted  forwards,  united,  turned,  and 
leaped  with  equal  rapidity  and  elegance. 

"  Bayonne. — About  two  leagues  from  this  city  the 
emperor  was  presented  with  a  spectacle  worthy  of 
him.  On  the  declivity  of  a  mountain  gently  scooped 
out  in  different  parts  of  its  descent  is  pitched  one  of 
those  camps  which  the  foresight  of  the  country  has 
provided  for  its  defenders.  It  is  composed  of  seven 
handsome  barracks,  different  in  form  and  aspect,  each 
isolated,  surrounded  with  an  orchard  in  full  bearing, 
a  well-stocked  poultry-yard,  and,  at  different  dis- 
tances, a  greater  or  less  quantity  of  arable  land, 
where  a  diversity  of  soil  yields  a  variety  of  produce. 
One  side  of  the  mountain  is  wild,  but  picturesque, 
with  rocks  and  plants ;  the  other  seems  covered  with 
rich  tapestry,  so  varied  and  numerous  are  the  plots 
of  richly-cultivated  ground.  The  summit  is  clothed 
with  an  ever- verdant  forest ;  and  down  the  centre, 
in  a  deep  channel,  flows  a  limpid  stream,  refreshing 
and  fertilizing  the  whole  scene.  On  this  spot  the 
veterans  who  occupy  it  gave  a  f£te  to  the  emperor, 
which  was  at  once  military  and  rural.  The  wives, 
daughters,  and  little  children  of  these  brave  men 
formed  the  most  pleasing,  as  they  were  themselves 
the  noblest,  ornament  of  the  festival.  Amid  piles 
of  arms  were  seen  beautiful  shrubs  covered  with 
flowers;  while  the  echoes  of  the  mountain  resounded 
to  the  bleating  of  flocks  and  the  warlike  strains  of  a 
soldiery  intoxicated  on  thus  receiving  their  chief. 
The  emperor  raised  this  enthusiasm  to  the  highest 
pitch  by  sitting  down  at  a  table  at  once  quite  mili- 
tary and  perfectly  pastoral,  and  drinking  with  these 
brave  fellows,  all  of  whom  had  risked  their  lives  in 
Ff 


338  MEMOIRS    OF 


his  service.  Toasts  were  given  to  all  that  does 
honour  to  the  French  name — *  to  our  native  land ;' 
'to  glory;'  'to  liberty.'  I  dare  not  mention  the 
attentions  of  which  I  was  the  object ;  they  touched 
me  deeply ;  for  I  regarded  them  as  proofs  of  that 
veneration  which  France  has  vowed  to  the  emperor. 

"  At  Bayonne  an  important  personage  waited  the 
emperor's  arrival,  namely,  Don  Pedro  de  las  Torres, 
private  envoy  of  Don  Juan  Escoiquitz,  preceptor  of 
the  Prince  of  Asturias.  As  a  consequence  of  the 
events  of  Aranjuez,  this  latter  has  been  proclaimed 
under  the  title  of  Ferdinand  VII. ;  but  the  old  King 
Charles,  from  whom  fear  had  extorted  an  abdication, 
now  protests  against  that  act.  The  new  monarch 
pretends  that  his  father,  led  by  the  queen,  who  is  in 
turn  the  puppet  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  never  has 
had,  and  never  can  have,  a  will  of  his  own.  Mean- 
while, the  nation,laking  the  alarm,  is  dividedbetween 
two  heads.  If  one  party  reproach  Charles  with 
being  wholly  devoted  to  the  will  of  Manuel  Godoi, 
the  other  imputes  to  Ferdinand  that  of  acknowledg- 
ing no  principles  of  action  save  those  dictated  to  him 
by  Don  Juan  Escoiquitz.  The  first,  haughty  and 
impertinent,  as  are  all  favourites,  keeps  his  master 
in  bondage  and  the  people  in  humiliation;  the  second, 
honey-tongued  and  wheedling,  at  once  deceives  the 
nation  and  enslaves  his  pupil.  Both  have  caused, 
and  still  cause,  the  misfortunes  of  Spain. 

"  What,  in  truth,  can  be  more  deplorable  than  the 
respective  situation  of  the  governors  and  governed? 
The  former  are  without  confidence,  the  latter  with- 
out attachment.  Amid  these  two  factions,  which 
may  well  be  termed  parricidal,  a  third  has  secretly 
sprung  up,  which  calculates  upon,  perhaps  encour- 
ages, their  misunderstanding,  in  order  to  favour  the 
triumph  of  liberty.  But  is  ignorant  and  superstitious 
Spain  prepared  to  receive  this  blessing?  With  her 
haughty  nobles,  her  bigoted  priesthood,  her  slothful 
population,  how  can  she  execute  an  enterprise  which 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  339 

supposes  the  love  oi  equality,  the  practice  of  tolera- 
tion, and  an  heroic  activity  1 

••  These  are  things  which  the  emperor  will  have 
to  consider.  He  is  appealed  to  by  all  parties  as  me- 
diator; he  arrives  among  them  without  knowledge 
of  them,  and,  as  a  man,  feels  perfect  impartiality. 
His  enlightened  policy  will  take  counsel  of  neces- 
sity ;  and  in  this  great  quarrel,  of  which  he  is  con- 
stituted umpire,  will  reconcile  what  is  due  to  the 
interests  of  France  with  what  is  demanded  for  the 
safety  of  Spain. 

"  This  same  Don  Pedro  de  las  Torres  has  not  been 
sent  without  his  errand.  Don  Juan,  his  patron,  knew 
that  he  possessed,  some  leagues  from  Bayonne,  an 
extensive  farm,  on  which  are  bred  numerous  flocks 
of  merinoes.  Thither,  under  a  plausible  pretext,  we 
were  conducted  to-day.  After  a  feast  of  really  rus- 
tic magnificence,  we  ma'de  the  tour  of  the  possession 
on  foot.  At  the  bottom  of  a  verdant  dell,  surrounded 
on  all  sides  by  rocks  covered  with  moss  and  flow  ers, 
all  of  a  sudden  a  picturesque  cot  appeared  lightly 
suspended  on  a  projecting  point  of  rock,  while  round 
it  were  feeding  between  seven  and  eight  hundred 
sheep  of  the  most  beautiful  breed.  We  could  not 
restrain  a  cry  of  admiration ;  and  upon  the  emperor 
addressing  him  in  some  compliments,  Don  Pedro 
declared  that  these  flocks  belonged  of  right  to  me. 
'  The  king,  my  master,'  added  he, '  knows  the  em- 
press's taste  for  rural  occupations ;  and  as  this  spe- 
cies of  sheep  is  little  known  in  France,  and  will 
constitute  the  principal  ornament  and,  consequently, 
wealth  of  a  farm,  he  entreats  her  not  to  deprive  her- 
self of  an  offering.atonce  so  useful  and  so  agreeable.' 
— '  Don  Pedro,'  replied  the  emperor,  with  a  tone  of 
severity, '  the  empress  cannot  accept  a  present  save 
from  the  hands  of  the  king,  and  your  master  is  not 
yet  one.  Wait,  before  making  your  offering,  until 
your  own  nation  and  I  have  decided.'  The  remain- 
der of  the  visit  was  very  ceremonious." 


MEMOIRS    OF 

-re  Josephine's  notes  on  the  affairs  of  Spain  ter 
minate.  This  the  reader  will  with  us  doubtless  re- 
gret ;  for  though  evidently  in  some  places  repeating, 
as  if  they  were  lessons  of  reverence,  the  sentiments 
of  Napoleon,  in  others  she  shows  surprising  fore- 
sight into  the  character  and  fortune  of  the  Spanish 
people.  How  well,  for  instance,  does  she  appreciate 
the  chances  of  the  third  party, — the  friends  of  Span- 
ish liberty !  And  is  not  the  truth  of  that  estimate, 
formed  by  the  wife  of  Napoleon  two-and-twenty 
years  ago,  proved  now  by  the  question — What  be- 
came of  that  third  party  ?  Let  the  dungeons  and 
gibbets  of  despotism,  the  rack,  and  the  chains  of 
priestcraft,  and  the  very  wilds  of  a  desecrated  land, 
whence  these  our  days  have  seen  them  hunted  like 
wild  beasts,  tell  of  the  Spanish  liberals  ! 

Following  the  emissaries  mentioned  in  the  notes 
arrived  the  Prince  of  Ast-urias,  calling  himself  Fer- 
dinand VII. ;  coarse  and  heavy  in  his  exterior,  silent, 
and  suspicious,  he  looked  the  very  bigot  he  has 
since  proved.  Some  days  afterward  the  king  and 
queen  reached  Bayonne.  Charles,  though  a  little 
fat  man,  had  a  more  kingly  air  than  his  son ;  the 
queen  was  a  fat,  high-coloured,  and  stern-looking 
little  woman,  holding  her  head  very  high,  speaking 
very  loud,  and  without  grace  of  any  kind,  but  not 
destitute  of  talents.  Josephine  acquired  consider- 
able influence  over  the  Spanish  princess,  and,  by  the 
elegance  of  her  own  toilet,  appears  to  have  excited 
a  desire  of  emulating  it.  The  empress,  accordingly, 
sent  some  of  her  dresses  and  attendants  to  the  queen, 
but  without  effect ;  the  latter  remained  the  same  un- 
gainly figure  as  before.  Their  Spanish  majesties  had 
brought,  not  in  their  train,  but  in  their  carriage,  the 
inseparable  Prince  of  Peace.  Napoleon  treated  them 
with  all  courtesy,  but  could  not  prevail  upon  him- 
self to  extend  the  same  to  this  minion ;  consequently, 
when  the  royal  party  entered  the  dining-room  in  the 
chateau  of  Marrac,  the  usher,  not  finding  his  name 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  341 

in  the  list  of  guests,  detained  Godoi  in  the  antecham- 
ber. The  party  had  no  sooner  sat  down  to  table, 
than  Charles,  missing  his  prince,  called  out  "  Man- 
uel !"  turning  to  Napoleon,  and  adding,  in  a  whine  of 
entreaty,  "  and  Manuel  too,  sire  1" — "  Oh,  ay,"  re- 
plied the  latter,  with  a  half-suppressed  smile  of 
contempt,  "  I  had  forgotten ;"  and,  making  a  sign  to 
an  officer  of  the  household,  "  introduce  the  Prince 
of  Peace." 

Meanwhile,  Murat  continued  to  play  his  fooleries 
as  regent-expectant  in  Madrid ;  but  on  the  7th  of  June, 
King  Joseph  arrived  at  Bayonne  on  his  way  to  the 
capital.     Upon  the  contest  that  followed,  Josephine 
ever  looked  with  alarm  and  distrust;  the  present 
visit  had  taught  her  how  to  penetrate  the  secret  of 
the  Spanish  character,  and  the  instinctive  feeling 
already  noticed  of  whatever  menaced  her  husband's 
real  glory  rendered  her  more  than  usually  apprehen- 
sive concerning  the  result.     It  is  an  exercise,  like- 
wise, far  from  being  devoid  of  interest,  to  compare, 
with  the  facts  before  us,  the  opinion  she  had  formed 
of  Napoleon,  in  relation  to  this  very  fear,  in  the  be- 
ginning of  1811,  when  she  had  ceased  to  be  Empress 
of  France,  and  when,  by  one  vigorous   effort,  he 
might  have  scattered  all  opposition.    Addressing  her 
ladies,  Josephine  said,  "  Napoleon  is  persuaded  that 
he  is  to  subjugate  all  the  nations  of  the  earth.     He 
cherishes  such  a  confidence  in  his  star,  that  should 
he  be  abandoned  to-morrow  by  family  and  allies,  a 
wanderer  and  proscribed,  he  would  support  life,  con- 
vinced he  should  triumph  over  all  obstacles,  and  ac- 
complish his  destiny  by  realizing  his  mighty  designs. 
Happily,"  added  the  empress,  with  a  smile,  for  as  yet 
all  smiled  upon  him,  "  we  shall  never  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  ascertaining  whether  I  am  right ;  but  of 
this  you  may  rest  assured,  Napoleon  is  more  coura- 
geous morally  than  physically.     I  know  him  bettei 
than  any  one  does  ;  he  believes  himself  predestined, 
and  would  support  reverses  with  as  much  calmness 
Ff2 


342  MEMOIRS    OF 

as  the  .daring  with  which  he  confronts  danger  in 
combat."    It  may,  perhaps,  be  thought,  adds  our  au- 
thority (Madame  Decres'.;,  that  the  above  is  my  own 
invention ;  but  I  attest  the  exact  truth  of  the  whole. 
The  actual  connexion  of  Josephine  with  Spain, 
however,  ended  with  her  excursion;  whence,  after 
travelling  northward  through  the  central  districts 
of  France,  she  returned  to  St.  Cloud  in  time  for  the 
rejoicings  on  the  15th  of  August,  the  emperor's  birth- 
day.    At  this  favourite  residence,  only  a  few  days 
before  departing  for  the  interview  at  Erfurth,  on  the 
87th  of  September,  Napoleon,  with  Josephine  and 
their  usual  familiars,  played  a  final  game  at  the  old 
amusement  of  "  prisoners."    It  was  dark  night  be- 
fore  the  party  finished,  and  footmen  with  torches 
were  in  attendance  to  give  light  to  the  players.    The 
effect  could  not  be  otherwise  than  full  of  interest ; 
the  blaze  of  the  torches,  now  throwing  bold,  broad, 
and  rich  illumination  upon  the  illustrious  group  as 
they  assembled  in  front  of  the  chateau  preparatory 
to  each  run,  again  flinging  scattered  and  flickering 
lights  upon  the  lawn,  the  trees,  flowers,  and  rich 
dresses  of  the  ladies,  as  the  torch-bearers  dispersed, 
following  irregularly  the   course   of  the  runners. 
How  closely  resembling  the  lives  of  some  of  the 
noblest  there, — this  crossing,  commingling,  disap- 
pearing, sometimes  in  light,  anon  in  darkness ;  here, 
all  starting  away  amid  brightness  and  expectation; 
there,  a  figure  outstripping  all  others,  only  to  be  lost 
in  gloom!     But  there  was  then  no  moralizing;  all 
were  joyous,  and,  for  the  moment,  artless,  as  if  it  had 
not  been  a  court.     Napoleon,  as  usual,  fell,  though 
only  once,  as  he  was  running  for  Josephine.     Being 
thus  taken  captive,  he  was  placed  in  ban,  which  he 
broke  as  soon  as  he  recovered  breath,  set  again  to 
running,  and  released  the  empress  amid  loud  huzzas 
from  his  own,  and  shouts  of "  fair  play"  from  the 
opposite  party.    Thus  ended  the  last  repetition  of 
youthful  sports. 


THE   EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  343 

Josephine  did  not  accompany  Napoleon  to  Erfurth* 
In  this  the  latter  showed  his  usual  tact ;  -it  suited  his 
views  to  be  on  the  most  familiar  and  intimate  foot- 
ing1 with  Alexander  (the  Russian  even  borrowed 
linen  of  the  French  autocrat) ;  arid  the  presence  of 
the  empress  would  necessarily  have  required  reserve 
and  ceremony.  We  have  therefore  little  to  do  with 
this  really  interesting  passage  in  the  life  of  Napo- 
4eon,  which  recalls  more  nearly  than  any  event  in 
modern  history  our  ancient  recollections  of  "  the 
field  of  the  cloth  of  gold,"  and  other  chivalrous 
meetings  of  the  sovereigns  of  the  olden  time.  The 
following  incident,  however,  is  of  so  singular  a  na- 
ture, so  well  authenticated,  and  at  the  same  time 
new,  we  believe,  to  the  English  reader,  that  it  may 
well  find  a  place  here.  The  most  celebrated  actors 
of  the  French  theatre  were  assembled,  and  nightly 
representations  given  at  Erfurth ;  the  two  emperors, 
seated  side  by  side,  occupied  each  an  armchair,  on 
a  platform  erected  on  the  usual  station  of  the  or- 
chestra, on  account  of  Alexander's  weak  hearing. 
The  pit  was  filled  with  the  crowd  of  kings.  On  the 
3d  of  October,  Voltaire's  CEdipe  being  the  play,  when 
Talma  repeated  the  verse, 

L'amitie  d'un  grand  homme  est  un  bienfait  des  dieux,* 

Alexander  rose,  and  gracefully  presented  his  hand  to 
Napoleon.  The  compliment  was  instantly  appre- 
ciated, and  loud  acclamations  burst  from  all  parts  of 
the  royal  and  princely  audience.  On  the  same  eve- 
ning, Napoleon  retired  to  rest  at  the  usual  hour, 
every  access  to  his  bedroom  being  secured  by  guards 
and  bolts,  with  the  ordinary  precautions.  About  two 
o'clock,  Constant,  who,  with  Roustan,  the  Mame- 
luke, slept  in  the  antechamber,  upon  a  mattress 
spread  across  the  only  doorway  of  the  imperial  dor- 
mitory, was  awaked  by  an  alarming  noise  from 

*  The  friendship  of  a  great  man  is  a  blessing  from  the  gods. 


344  MEMOIRS    Op 

within*  Rousing  his  companion,  the  two  listened 
together,  when  the  sounds  were  repeated,  falling  dis- 
tinctly upon  the  ear,  like  the  gurglings  of  a  man  in 
the  agonies  of  strangulation.  Roustan  silently  seized 
his  weapon,  and  Constant,  taking  the  light,  cautiously 
opened  the  door.  No  one  was  visible  in  the  bed- 
chamber; but  low  meanings  were  still  heard,  as  if 
from  one  nearly  exhausted  in  a  struggle.  Advanc- 
ing, they  beheld  Napoleon  stretched  across  the  bed, 
his  eyes  closed,  lips  drawn  back,  and  showing 
clenched  teeth ;  the  one  hand  was  pressed  against 
the  breast,  the  other  extended,  as  if  grasping  at  some 
invisible  antagonist.  Constant  with  difficulty  roused 
the  sleeper.  "  What  is  it  ] — what  is  it  ?"  cried  Na- 
poleon, sitting  up,  and  casting  a  bewildered  gaze  on 
the  figures  before  him,  of  themselves  (one  bearing  a 
dim  lamp,  the  other  a  drawn  scimitar)  enough  to 
create  alarm.  Constant  hastened  to  explain.  "  Thou 
hast  done  well,  my  faithful  Constant,"  interrupted 
Napoleon.  "  Ah !  what  a  fearful  dream  !  I  thought 
a  bear  was  devouring  my  vitals."  So  strong  re- 
mained the  impression  of  the  dream,  that  Napoleon, 
as  he  stated  next  morning,  could  not  again  sleep. 
Even  after  a  long  interval  of  time  he  recurred  to  the 
subject.  Did  he  think  of  his  dream  during  the  Rus- 
sian expedition  1 

On  returning  from  Erfurth,  Napoleon  remained 
only  a  few  days  with  Josephine  at  St.  Cloud,  when 
he  set  out  for  Spain,  leaving  her  behind,  notwith- 
standing more  urgent  entreaties  to  be  taken  with 
him  than  she  had  ever  before  ventured.  Their 
adieus  were  most  affectionate,  but  mournful  on  the 
part  of  the  empress;  for  she  could  not  divest  herself 
of  a  presentiment  of  misfortune,  from  the  character 
of  the  nation  and  -enterprise  with  which  he  was 
now  engaged.  Denied  the  satisfaction  of  discharg- 
ing that  duty  in  person,  she  sent  for  his  favourite 
attendants,  lecommending  them  to  have  the  utmost 
watchfulness  over  their  master's  safety.  These 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE  345 

gloomy  forebodings  seemed  for  the  time  groundless. 
After  a  campaign  of  little  more  than  two  months, 
Napoleon  returned  to  her  on  the  23d  of  January, 
1809,  leaving  Spain  with  not  an  English  soldier  in 
the  Peninsula,  and  its  perfect  conquest  requiring 
only  to  be  consolidated. 

The  interval  which  elapsed  between  the  return 
from  Madrid  and  the  13tirt)f  April,  when  he  set  out 
for  the  second  campaig-#  of  Vienna,  Napoleon  passed 
chiefly  at  St.  Cloud,  with  an  occasional  hunting  ex- 
cursion to  Rambouillet.  But  though  he  continued 
to  pass  in  Josephine's  society  all  his  hours  of  leisure, 
these  had  now  become  extremely  few ;  and  perhaps 
at  no  time  had  his  application  been  so  intense,  as  in 
preparing  for  the  campaign  of  1809.  The  final  period 
of  Josephine's  married  happiness  was  now  drawing 
to  a  close.  The  last  of  unrestrained  and  affectionate 
intercourse  which  she  enjoyed  with  him  whom  she 
had  loved  so  well,  for  whose  sake  she  had  done  and 
suffered  so  much,  took  place  during  their  excursion 
to  Strasburg,  whither  she  had  accompanied  Napo- 
leon on  his  way  to  Germany.  Here  the  empress 
remained  for  some  time,  attended  by  the  Queen  of 
Westphalia,  an  amiable  woman,  whom  she  greatly 
esteemed,  Hortense  and  her  children,  the  Princess 
Stephanie  and  her  husband,  all  of  whom  had  affec- 
tionately hastened  to  cheer  the  solitude  of  the  em- 
press, until  her  return  to  Paris,  as  regent,  became 
necessary. 

Meanwhile,  Napoleon  was  pursuing,  though  with 
less  than  usual  celerity,  his  adventurous  career. 
But  the  details  of  the  last  Austrian  campaign,  the 
battles  of  Ratisbon,  Vienna,  Esseling,  and  Wagram, 
are  fully  given  in  other  works.*  In  October,  the 
treaty  of  Schoenbrunn  closed  the  contest,  to  the  ad- 
vantage of  Napoleon,  but  the  war  had  cost  many 
brave  men  to  France,  had  been  unpopular  there,  and 

*  See  Life  of  Napoleon.— Family  Library,  Nos.  IV.  and  V. 


346  MEMOIRS    OF 

became,  in  the  end,  one  main  cause  of  all  his  future 
misfortunes,  by  placing  an  Austrian  princess  on  the 
throne  of  Josephine.  The  observations  of  Marshal 
Lannes,  who  fell  at  Esseling,  and  whom  some  writers 
have,  with  cruel  absurdity,  represented  as  rushing 
out  of  life  like  a  boisterous  ruffian  and  blasphemer, 
expressed  on  these  subjects  the  sentiments  of  the 
whole  French  army.  The  evening  before  his  death, 
which  happened  after  eight  days  of  agony,  endured 
with  fortitude  and  resignation,  he  said  to  an  attend- 
ant, "I  feel  myself  dying.  Tell  the  emperor  I 
would  see  him  once  more."  The  messenger  was 
about  to  leave  the  wretched  hut  in  which  the  "  vete- 
ran of  forty"  lay,  when  Napoleon  himself  entered. 
All  withdrew,  leaving  the  companions  in  arms  alone 
together ;  but  the  door  in  the  partition,  which  sepa- 
rated the  two  divisions  of  the  cabin,  remaining  open, 
allowed  their  conversation  to  be  heard.  Lannes, 
speaking  at  first  with  difficulty,  as  much  from  reluc- 
tance as  weakness,  recounted  his  services ;  then  in 
a  more  assured  tone,  proceeded : — "  I  do  not  speak 
thus  to  excite  your  interest  for  my  family.  Your 
own  glory  calls  upon  you  to  protect  my  wife  and 
children ;  but  my  services  give  me  a  right  to  express 
the  truth,  and  I  have  no  fear  that  my  using  the  privi- 
lege now  will  influence  hereafter  your  dispositions 
towards  them.  You  have  committed  a  great  fault 
in  provoking  the  present  war.  It  has  deprived  you 
of  your  best  friend;  but  it  will  not  correct  you 
Your  ambition  is  insatiable,  and  will  prove  your 
destruction.  You  recklessly  throw  away,  and  with- 
out necessity,  the  lives  of  the  men  who  serve  you 
most  faithfully;  and  when  they  die,  you  do  not 
regret  them.  You  retain  none  but  flatterers  near 
your  person;  and  I  no  longer  see  a  single  friend 
who  dares  to  tell  you  the  truth.  You  will  be  be- 
trayed and  forsaken.  Curb  your  disposition  for  war 
It  is  the  general  wish.  You  can  never  be  mor 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  347 

powerful ;  but  you  may  be  much  less  beloved.  Par- 
don a  dying  man  these  truths  ;  for  that  man  loved 
you."  The  marshal  ceased,  and  extended  his  hand 
to  his  leader,  who  bathed  it  in  silent  tears ;  for  he 
could  not  speak.  Fortunate  would  it  have  been  for 
all  had  he  laid  the  advice  to  heart. 

This  exhortation  of  the  brave  Lannes  both  ex- 
plains the  causes,  and  in  some  measure  leads  us  to 
anticipate  the  consequences,  of  the  divorce, — a  pain- 
ful portion  of  our  narrative  now  to  be  discussed. 
The  restless  ambition  of  Napoleon,  utterly  selfish  in 
its  object,  and  pursued  as  it  was  by  the  most  unfeel- 
ing means,  led  him  at  last  to  sacrifice  the  wife  of  his 
youth,  her  by  whom  he  had  risen,  who,  unchanged 
amid  every  diversity  of  fortune,  had  bound  him  to 
herself  by  every  tie  of  honour,  of  gratitude,  and  af- 
fection. The  flatterers  by  whom  he  was  surrounded 
urged  him  on  in  this  career  of  selfishness,  while 
every  battle  that  swept  off  an  ancient  comrade  de- 
prived him  of  a  real  friend,  and  poor  Josephine  of  a 
support.  Again,  as  respects  consequences,  thence- 
forth the  zeal  of  those  who  had  served  him  most 
faithfully  became  slackened,  when  they  beheld  the 
woman  to  whom  he  owed  all  sacrificed  with  cold, 
calculating  contrivance,  conceiving  justly  that  they 
in  like  manner  would  be  superseded,  as  caprice,  in- 
terest, or  passion  dictated.  To  Josephine,  also,  the 
army  was  attached  by  a  species  of  chivalry ;  she  had 
been  associated  in  the  distribution  of  their  most 
splendid  honours;  to  many,  in  her  various  excur- 
sions, she  had  with  her  own  hand  given  the  "  Cross 
of  the  Legion."  The  most  distinguished  military 
leaders  who  survived,  of  the  first  companions  of 
Napoleon,  were  likewise  the  early  friends  of  Jose- 
phine :  several  among  them  had  actually  been  attached 
to  his  standard  through  her  influence ;  and  there 
were  few  but  could  associate  their  first  triumphs 
with  the  recollection  of  her  graceful  commendations, 
aud  grateful  acknowledgment  of  their  services. 


348  MEMOIRS   OF 

Had  Lannes,  for  instance,  survived,  it  is  certain  he 
would  have  protested  with  all  the  honest  energy  of 
his  character  against  the  degradation  of  the  empress,, 
to  whose  interests  he  was  attached,  both  by  his  own 
feelings  and  those  of  his  wife,  one  of  Josephine's 
most  favoured  ladies.  The  same  tie  bound  others, 
who,  though  silent,  were  not  therefore  reconciled 
Finally,  to  the  French  people,  Josephine  had  no-- 
only recommended  herself  by  dignity  in  her  high 
station,  moderation,  and  unceasing  exertions  in  the 
cause  of  benevolence,  but  in  her  elevation,  con- 
nected as  she  was  with  their  ancient  nobility,  they 
beheld  a  Frenchwoman  on  the  throne,  and  in  this 
consideration,  soothing  to  their  national  pride,  there 
existed  a  bond  between  them  and  Napoleon,  which 
was  snapped  by  the  separation.  Not  without  truth, 
therefore,  has  the  commencement  of  his  downfall 
been  traced  from  the  proceedings  so  painful  to  herv 
which  we  are  now  to  describe. 

The  Austrian  campaign,  and  the  consequent  diplo- 
matic  arrangements,  having  been  concluded,  Napo- 
leon set  out  on  his  return  from  Schoenbrunn,  a 
palace  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Vienna,  on  the  16th 
of  October.  From  Munich,  where  he  made  a  short 
halt,  a  courier  was  despatched  to  the  empress,  with 
information  that  he  would  reach  Fontainbleau  on 
the  evening  of  the  27th,  and  directing  the  court  to 
assemble  there  in  readiness  to  meet  him.  Such  was 
the  speed  of  his  subsequent  movements,  however, 
that  he  arrived  at  ten  in  the  morning  of  the  26th. 
The  consequent  disappointment  of  finding  no  one  to 
receive  him,  though  a  circumstance  to  be  expected, 
threw  the  emperor  into  a  passion ;  and  seeing  the 
poor  courier  who  had  preceded  him  preparing  to 
dismount,  he  called  out,  "  You  can  rest  to-morrow 
— gallop  to  St.  Cloud,  and  announce  my  arrival  to 
the  empress."  He  continued  in  bad  humour  all  day. 
About  five  in  the  afternoon — for  the  distance  be- 
tween St.  Cloud  and  Fontainbleau  is  upwards  of 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  349 

forty  miles — a  carriage  arrived  in  the  court;  sup- 
posing it  to  be  Josephine's,  he  hastily  ran  down  to 
receive  her,  but  was  again  disappointed.  "And  the 
empress  ?"  exclaimed  he  in  a  tone  of  impatient  sur- 
prise, seeing  only  her  ladies. — "  Sire,  we  precede  by 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  at  most." — "  A  happy  arrange- 
ment," said  he,  turning  on  his  heel,  and  again 
ascended  to  the  little  library,  where  he  had  pre- 
viously been  at  work. 

At  length,  about  six,  Josephine  arrived ;  Napoleon, 
hearing  the  carriage,  demanded  who  had  come ;  and, 
though  informed,  continued  to  write,  without  going 
down  to  receive  the  empress, — the  first  time  accord- 
ing to  the  observation  of  his  attendants,  he  had  ever 
acted  thus.  Josephine,  unconscious  of  a  fault,  alive 
only  to  the  present  satisfaction  of  seeing  her  hus- 
band after  his  long  absence,  and  exposure  to  so 
many  dangers,  hastily  entered  the  little  library. 
What  a  chilling  reception  to  one  so  gentle,  so  affec- 
tionate !  Napoleon  merely  raised  his  eyes  from 
some  papers,  without  stirring  from  his  place,  with 
the  salutation,  "  Ah !  so  you  are  come,  madam.  'Tis 
well.  I  was  just  about  to  set  out  for  St.  Cloud." 
The  empress,  in  astonishment,  attempted  to  explain, 
that  all  had  been  regulated  according  to  his  orders ; 
he  replied  in  terms  which  brought  tears  into  her 
eyes,  and  she  stood  for  a  moment  weeping  silently. 
Napoleon's  heart  smote  him ;  he  rose,  acknowledged 
he  was  wrong,  the  two  spouses  tenderly  embraced, 
and  Josephine  retired  to  dress.  Meanwhile,  the 
ministers  of  the  marine  and  finance,  who  had  been 
sent  for  in  the  morning,  were  announced ;  business 
recommenced;  and  in  about  half  an  hour  the  em- 
press reappeared,  dressed  with  perfect  elegance,  in 
a  polonaise  of  white  satin,  bordered  with  eider-down, 
and,  though  the  evening  was  cold,  wearing  only  a 
wreath  of  blue  flowers  entwined  with  silver  ears  of 
corn  in  her  hair ;  she  had  studied  Napoleon's  taste ; 
and  he  interrupted  his  work  to  look  upon  her,  with 


360  MEMOIRS   OF 

an  expression  of  fondness,  which  Josephine  per- 
ceiving, asked,  with  a  smile,  "  You  do  not  think  I 
have  spent  too  much  time  at  my  toilet  ?"  Napoleon 
playfully  pointed  to  the  pendule  on  the  chimney- 
piece,  which  showed  half  past  seven,  rose,  gave  his 
hand  to  the  empress,  and  addressing  his  ministers, 
"  Gentlemen,  in  five  minutes  I  shall  be  with  you," 
prepared  to  leave  the  apartment.  "  But,"  said  Jose- 
phine, whom  no  circumstances  could  render  indif- 
ferent to  the  wants  or  feelings  of  others,  "  these 
gentlemen  cannot  have  dined,  since  they  have  only 
just  arrived  from  Paris  ]"  The  ministers  sat  down 
to  table  with  their  majesties,  but  the  repast  did  not 
continue  above  a  few  minutes,  for  Napoleon  appeared 
anxious  to  finish  the  business  in  which  they  had 
been  engaged,  though  he  had  taken  nothing  save  a 
little  chocolate  in  the  morning.  Throughout  the 
whole  of  the  day  he  had  discovered  impatience, 
restlessness,  and  disquietude;  but  on  joining  the 
empress's  party  in  the  evening,  he  appeared  more 
than  usually  cheerful  and  attentive,  as  if  desirous 
of  removing  all  impression  of  previous  unkind 
ness. 

Such  was  the  slight  difference  which  writers  have 
magnified  into  the  cause  of  the  divorce.  That  mea- 
sure depended  on  resolutions  more  deeply  laid  and 
more  sternly  pursued.  What  passed  after  these  per- 
sonages, so  unhappy  in  the  midst  of  greatness,  ha< 
retired  together,  is  unknown ;  but  from  the  morning 
of  the  27th,  it  was  evident  that  they  lived  in  a  state 
of  constant  restraint  and  mutual  observation.  While 
at  Fontainbleau,  this  painful  situation  became  stil 
more  distressing,  from  the  comparative  solitude  of 
the  parties.  At  Paris,  to  which  they  occasionally 
made  visits,  chiefly  out  of  compliment  to  the  King 
of  Saxony,  who  arrived  there  on  the  14th  of  Novem- 
ber, matters  wore  externally  an  appearance  of  usua 
ease.  Again  the  court  returned  to  Fontainbleau,  anc 
again  life  became  wearisome,  tedious,  and  artificial 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  851 

Napoleon  scarcely  venturingHo  look  upon  Josephine, 
save  when  he  was  not  observed;  while  she  hung 
upon  every  glance,  and  trembled  at  every  word,  at 
the  same  time  that  both  endeavoured  to  be  composed 
and  natural  in  their  demeanour  before  the  courtiers. 
But  these,  like  the  domestics  of  humbler  establish- 
ments, are  quick-sighted  to  detect  any  change  of 
condition  in  their  superiors ;  nor  was  it  one  of  the 
least  of  Josephine's  troubles  to  be  exposed  to  their 
ingratitude.  "In  what  self-constraint,"  said  she, 
"did  I  pass  the  period  during  which,  though  no  longer 
his  wife,  I  was  obliged  to  appear  so  to  all  eyes! 
Ah !  what  looks  are  those  which  courtiers  suffer  to 
fall  upon  a  repudiated  wife!"  The  circumstance 
which,  more  than  all  the  rest,  excited  the  suspicion 
of  others  and  the  alarm  of  Josephine  was,  the  shutting 
up,  by  the  emperor's  command,  of  the  private  access 
between  their  apartments.  Formerly,  as  already 
described,  in  their  days  of  happiness,  their  inter- 
course had  thus  been  free,  even  amid  the  restraints 
of  a  court.  Napoleon  would  surprise  Josephine  in 
her  boudoir,  and  she  steal  upon  his  moments  of  re- 
laxation in  his  cabinet.  But  all  was  now  reversed ; 
the  former  never  entered,  but  knocked  when  he 
would  speak  to  the  latter,  who  hardly  dared  to  obey 
the  signal,  the  sound  of  which  caused  such  violent 
palpitations  of  the  heart,  that  she  had  to  support  her- 
self by  leaning  against  the  walls  or  furniture  as  she 
tottered  towards  the  little  door,  on  the  other  side  of 
which  Napoleon  waited  her  approach.  From  these 
conferences  Josephine  returned  so  exhausted,  and 
with  eyes  so  swollen  with  weeping,  as  to  give  ground 
for  the  belief  that  her  lord  used  violence  to  constrain 
her  consent  to  their  separation.  Her  own  words, 
also, "  He  accomplished  his  resolution  with  a  cruelty 
of  which  no  idea  can  be  formed,"  might  at  first  seem 
to  countenance  this  supposition.  But  justice  is  to 
be  done ;  the  violence  and  the  cruelty,  great  as  they 
both  were  consisted  solely  in  the  act  itself,  and  in 


352  MEMOIRS    OF 


coldly  withstanding  all  claims  of  affection  and  of 
gentle  entreaty  urged  by  the  being  who  had  loved 
him  so  well,  and  at  length  tendered  a  voluntary  sacri- 
fice of  her  love  and  happiness.  During  their  private 
conferences,  previous  to  the  direct  announcement  of 
his  determination,  Napoleon  endeavoured  to  persuade 
Josephine  of  the  political  necessity  and  advantages 
of  a  separation,  at  first  rather  hinting  at  than  dis- 
closing the  measure.  His  true  object  was,  as  much 
to  effect  his  wish  with  the  least  possible  pain  to  the 
empress,  as  to  lead  her  to  a  resignation  of  her  state ; 
for  though  she  could  not  have  successfully  resisted 
a  despotic  enactment,  the  deed  would  thereby  have 
been  rendered  doubly  odious  to  all  France.  This, 
indeed,  was  but  too  obviously  a  preparation  for  an 
event,  though  future,  yet  certain ;  and  Josephine,  re- 
garding it  as  such,  defended  her  claims  sometimes 
with  a  strength  of  argument  which  it  was  difficult  to 
answer,  and  at  others  by  tears,  supplications,  and 
appeals,  or  by  the  calm  resignation  of  self-devoted- 
ness  to  his  will,  against  which  the  heart  of  Napoleon, 
had  he  possessed  the  feelings  of  a  man,  ought  never 
to  have  been  proof.  Meanwhile,  "  in  what  stupor" 
— the  words  are  Josephine's  own — "  in  what  uncer- 
tainty, more  cruel  than  death,  did  I  live  during  these 
discussions,  until  the  fatal  day  in  which  he  avowed 
the  resolution  which  I  had  so  long  read  in  his  coun- 
tenance." Sometimes,  however,  rallying  amid  her 
sorrows  and  resignation,  she  assumed  a  command- 
ing attitude  on  those  mysterious  principles  by  which 
he  deemed  his  career  to  be  regulated,  that  for  a  space 
awed  even  the  spirit  of  Napoleon.  One  night,  Jose- 
phine, in  tears  and  silence,  had  listened  for  some  time 
to  these  overtures  and  discussions,  when,  with  a 
sudden  energy,  she  started  up,  drew  Napoleon  to  the 
window,  and,  pointing  to  the  heavens,  whose  lights 
seemed  in  placid  sweetness  to  look  down  upon  her 
distress,  with  a  firm,  yet  melancholy  tone,  said, 
"  Bonaparte?  behold  that  bright  star ;  it  is  mine !  and 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  353 

remember,  to  mine,  not  to  thine,  has  sovereignty 
been  promised.  Separate,  then,  our  fates,  and  your 
star  fades !" 

But  "  the  fatal  day"  was  not  to  be  averted.  The 
30th  of  November  arrived,  which  Napoleon  appears 
to  have  destined  for  declaring  his  final  determination 
to  Josephine.  She  had  wept  all  day ;  they  were  to 
dine  together  as  usual,  and,  to  conceal  her  tears,  the 
empress  wore  a  large  white  hat,  fastened  under  the 
chin,  which,  with  its  deep  front,  shaded  the  whole 
of  the  upper  part  of  the  face.  Napoleon,  also,  had 
shown  marks  of  the  strongest  agitation ;  he  scarcely 
spoke  to  any  one,  but,  with  arms  folded,  continued 
at  intervals  to  pace  his  library  alone.  From  time  to 
time  a  convulsive  movement,  attended  with  a  hectic 
flush,  passed  for  an  instant  across  his  features  ;  and 
at  table,  when  he  raised  his  eye,  it  was  only  to  look 
by  stealth  upon  the  empress,  with  an  expression  of 
the  deepest  regret.  The  dinner  was  removed  un- 
touched ;  neither  tasted  a  morsel ;  and  the  only  use 
to  which  Napoleon  turned  his  knife  was,  to  strike 
mechanically  upon  the  edge  of  his  glass,  which  he 
appeared  to  do  unconsciously,  and  like  one  whose 
thoughts  were  painfully  preoccupied.  Every  thing 
during  this  sad  repast  seemed  to  presage  the  impend- 
ing catastrophe.  The  officers  of  the  court,  even, 
who  were  in  'attendance,  stood  in  motionless  ex- 
pectancy, like  men  who  look  upon  a  sight  they  feel 
portends  evil,  though  what  they  know  not.  Not  a 
sound  was  heard  beyond  the  noise  of  placing  and 
removing  the  untasted  viands  and  the  monotonous 
tinkling  already  noticed ;  for  the  emperor  spoke  only 
once  to  ask  a  question,  without  giving  any  attention 
to  the  reply.  "  We  dined  together  as  usual,"  says 
Josephine ;  "  I  struggled  with  my  tears,  which,  not- 
withstanding every  effort,  overflowed  from  my  eyes ; 
I  uttered  not  a  single  word  during  that  sorrowful  meal, 
and  he  broke  silence  but  once,  to  ask  an  attendant 
about  the  weather.  My  sunshine,  I  saw,  had  passed 


354  MEMOIRS    OF 

away ;  the  storm  burst  quickly.  Directly  after  coffee* 
Bonaparte  dismissed  every  one,  and  I  remained, 
alone  with  him."  We  have  already  described  the 
manner  of  Napoleon's  taking  coffee  after  dinner; 
the  change  which  on  this  day  first  took  place  seemed 
to  indicate  to  Josephine  that  her  cares  were  no 
longer  indispensable  to  the  happiness  of  her  husband. 
She  had  risen  as  usual  from  table  with  Napoleon, 
whom  she  slowly  followed  into  the  saloon,  and  with 
a  handkerchief  pressed  upon  her  mouth  to  restrain 
the  sobbing  which,  though  inaudible,  shook  her 
whole  frame.  Recovering  by  an  effort  her  self-com- 
mand, Josephine  prepared  to  pour  out  the  coffee, 
when  Napoleon,  advancing  to  the  page,  performed 
the  office  for  himself,  casting  upon  her  a  regard  re- 
marked even  by  the  attendants,  and  which  seemed 
o  fall  with  stunning  import,  for  she  remained  as  if 
stupified.  The  emperor,  having  drunk,  returned  the 
cup  to  the  page,  and,  by  a  sign,  indicated  his  wish 
to  be  alone,  shutting  with  his  own  hand  the  door  of 
the  saloon.  In  the  dining-room,  separated  by  this 
door,  there  remained  only  the  Count  de  Beaumont, 
chief  chamberlain,  who  continued  to  walk  about  in 
silence,  and  the  favourite  personal  attendant  of  the 
emperor;  both  expecting  some  terrible  event, — an 
apprehension  which  was  but  too  speedily  confirmed 
by  loud  screams  from  the  saloon. 

We  know,  from  Josephine's  own  words,  what 
passed  during  this  secret  interview.  "  I  watched  in 
the  changing  expression  of  his  countenance  that 
struggle  which  was  in  his  soul.  At  length  his  fea- 
tures settled  into  stern  resolve.  I  saw  that  my  hour 
was  come.  His  whole  frame  trembled,  he  ap- 
proached, and  I  felt  a  shuddering  horror  come  over 
me.  He  took  my  hand,  placed  it  upon  his  heart, 
gazed  upon  me  for  a  moment,  then  pronounced  these 
fearful  words : — *  Josephine  !  my  excellent  Jose- 
phine !  thou  knowest  if  I  have  loved  thee !  To  thee 
— to  thee  alone  do  I  owe  the  only  moments  of  hap- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  355 

piness  which  I  have  enjoyed  in  this  world.  Jose- 
phine !  my  destiny  overmasters  my  will.  My  dear- 
est affections  must  be  silent  before  the  interests  of 
France !'— '  Say  no  more,'  I  had  still  strength  suf- 
ficient to  reply ;  *  I  was  prepared  for  this,  but  the 
blow  is  not  less  mortal.'  More  I  could  not  utter. 
I  cannot  tell  what  passed  within  me.  I  believe  my 
screams  were  loud.  I  thought  reason  had  fled.  I 
became  unconscious  of  every  thing,  and,  on  return- 
ing to  my  senses,  found  I  had  been  carried  to  my 
chamber." 

When  Josephine  thus  fainted,  Napoleon  hastily 
opened  the  door  of  the  saloon,  and  called  to  the  two 
individuals  who  remained  in  the  dining-room.  The 
opening  of  the  door  allowed  them  to  see  the  empress 
on  the  floor,  insensible,  yet  still  speaking  in  broken 
murmurs :  "  Oh,  no,  you  cannot  surely  do  it ! — you 
would  not  kill  me  !"  M.  de  Beaumont  entered,  on  a 
sign  from  his  master,  and  lifted  in  his  arms  the  hap- 
less Josephine,  now  perfectly  unconscious  of  all  that 
was  passing.  The  emperor  himself,  taking  a  taper 
from  the  chimneypiece,  lighted  the  way  through  a 
dark  passage,  whence  there  was  a  private  stair  to 
the  empress's  sleeping-room.  At  first  he  had  merely 
said  that  she  had  had  a  nervous  attack ;  but  in  his 
increasing  agitation  allowed  some  expressions  to 
escape,  whence  the  count  first  clearly  perceived  the 
nature  of  Josephine's  calamity.  When  they  had  thus 
attained  the  private  staircase,  it  appeared  too  steep 
and  narrow  for  M.  de  Beaumont,  unassisted,  to  at- 
tempt to  bear  the  empress  down  with  safety.  Na- 
poleon then  called  the  keeper  of  the  portfolio,  whose 
duty  it  was  to  be  in  constant  attendance  at  the  door 
of  the  cabinet,  which  also  opened  upon  the  corridor. 
Giving  the  taper  to  this  attendant,  and  directing  him 
to  precede,  the  emperor  himself  supported  Jose- 
phine's limbs,  and,  descending  last,  the  party  thus 
attained  the  door  of  her  bedroom.  Here  Napoleon 
dismissed  both  his  companions,  and,  laying  the 


356  MEMOIRS    OF 

empress  on  the  bed,  rung  for  her  women,  who,  on  en- 
tering, found  him  hanging  over  her  with  an  expres- 
sion of  the  deepest  anxiety.  Several  times  during 
the  night  he  returned  personally  to  inquire  concern- 
ing her  situation,  but,  except  on  these  occasions, 
maintained  unbroken  silence.  "  On  recovering," 
says  Josephine,  "  I  perceived  that  Corvisart  was  in 
attendance,  and  my  poor  daughter  weeping  over  me. 
No,  no  I  I  cannot  describe  the  horror  of  my  situation 
during  that  night !  Even  the  interest  which  he  af- 
fected to  take  in  my  sufferings  seemed  to  me  ad- 
ditional cruelty.  Oh,  my  God!  how  justly  had  I 
reason  to  dread  becoming  an  empress !" 

The  following  is  a  letter  addressed  by  Josephine 
to  her  husband  a  few  days  after  these  events,  less  in 
the  hope  of  withdrawing  him  from  his  resolution 
than  with  the  intention  of  proving  her  resignation  to 
an  arrangement  proceeding  from  him : — 

"  My  presentiments  are  realized.  You  have  pro- 
nounced the  word  which  separates  us ;  the  rest  is 
only  a  formality.  Such  is  the  reward — I  will  not 
say  of  so  many  sacrifices  (they  were  sweet,  because 
made  for  you) — but  of  an  attachment  unbounded  on 
my  part,  and  of  the  most  solemn  oaths  on  yours. 
But  the  state,  whose  interests  you  put  forward  as  a 
motive,  will,  it  is  said,  indemnify  me,  by  justifying 
you !  These  interests,  however,  to  which  you  feign 
to  immolate  me,  are  but  a  pretext ;  your  ill-dissem- 
bled ambition,  as  it  has  been,  so  it  will  ever  con- 
tinue, the  guide  of  your  life ; — a  guide  which  has  led 
you  to  victories  and  to  a  throne,  and  which  now 
urges  you  to  disasters  and  to  ruin. 

44  You  speak  of  an  alliance  to  contract — of  an  heii 
to  be  given  to  your  empire — of  a  dynasty  to  be 
founded  1  But  with  whom  do  you  contract  that  alli- 
ance? With  the  natural  enemy  of  France — that 
insidious  house  of  Austria — which  detests  our  coun- 
try from  feeling,  system,  and  necessity.  Do  you 


THE    EMPRESv    JOSEPHINE.  357 

suppose  that  the  hatred,  so  many  proofs  of  which 
have  been  manifested,  especially  during  the  last  fifty 
years,  has  not  been  transferred  from  the  kingdom  to 
the  empire ;  and  that  the  descendants  of  Maria  The- 
resa, that  able  sovereign,  who  purchased  from  Ma- 
dame Pompadour  the  fatal  treaty  of  1756,  mentioned 
by  yourself  only  with  horror, — think  you,  I  ask,  that 
her  posterity,  while  they  inherit  her  power,  are  not 
animated  also  by  her  spirit  ?  I  do  nothing  more  than 
repeat  what  I  have  heard  from  you  a  thousand  times ; 
but  then  your  ambition  limited  itself  to  humbling  a 
power  which  now  you  propose  to  elevate.  Believe 
me,  so  long  as  you  shall  be  master  of  Europe,  Aus- 
tria will  be  submissive  to  you; — but  never  know 
reverse ! 

"  As  to  the  want  of  an  heir,  must  a  mother  appear 
to  you  prejudiced  in  speaking  of  a  son  ?  Can  1 — 
ought  I  to  be  silent  respecting  him  who  constitutes 
my  whole  joy,  and  on  whom  once  centred  all  your 
hopes  ?  The  adoption  of  the  3d  January,  1806,  was, 
then,  a  political  falsehood  ?  But  there  is  one  reality, 
at  least ;  the  talents  and  virtues  of  my  Eugene  are 
no  illusion.  How  many  times  have  you  pronounced 
their  eulogium!  What  do  I  say?  Have  you  not 
deemed  them  worthy  of  the  possession  of  a  throne 
as  a  recompense,  and  often  said  they  deserved  more  ? 
Alas !  France  has  repeated  the  same ;  but  what  to 
you  are  the  wishes  of  France  1 

"  I  do  not  here  speak  of  the  person  destined  to 
succeed  me,  nor  do  you  expect  that  I  should  mention 
her.  Whatever  I  might  say  on  that  subject  would 
be  liable  to  suspicion.  But  one  thing  you  will  never 
suspect, — the  vow  which  I  form  for  your  happiness. 
May  that  felicity  at  least  recompense  me  for  my  sor- 
rows. Ah !  great  it  will  be  if  proportionate  to  them !" 

During  the  interval  in  which  this  letter  was  writ 
ten,  namely,  from  the  private  announcement  of  the 
divorce  as  above  described  to  the  16th  of  December, 


358  MEMOIRS    OF 


the  most  splendid  public  rejoicings  took  place  on  the 
anniversary  of  the  coronation,  and  in  commemora- 
tion of  the  victories  of  the  German  campaign.  At 
all  these  Josephine  appeared  in  the  pomp  and  cir- 
cumstance of  station,  and  even  with  a  smiling  coun- 
tenance, while  her  heart  was  breaking.  Of  all  the 
distressing  circumstances  connected  with  her  sor- 
rows, this  was  one  of  the  most  painful.  To  the 
public  deception  to  which  she  thus  became  innocently 
accessory  was  added  the  humbling  consciousness, 
that  among  sovereigns  and  princes  then  assembled 
in  Paris,  especially  the  members  and  creatures  of 
the  Bonaparte  family,  while  few  were  ignorant  of, 
some  secretly  rejoiced  in,  her  impending  disgrace. 
The  last  time  she  appeared  in  grand  costume  in  pub- 
lic was  upon  the  occasion  of  the  fete  given  by  the 
municipality  of  Paris,  in  receiving  the  honours  of 
which  her  habitual  grace  and  affability  never  for  a 
moment  forsook  her,  though  the  languor  depicted  on 
her  own  and  her  daughter's  countenance  too  clearly 
discovered  some  latent  sorrow  within.  A  few  days 
after,  Eugene  arrived  from  Italy,  whence  he  had 
been  summoned  on  this  melancholy  duty.  The  con- 
duct of  her  children,  and  especially  of  her  son,  has 
been  misrepresented,  as  if  the  latter  had  laboured  to 
persuade  the  empress  to  consent  to  a  divorce,  against 
which,  both  as  a  woman  and  a  princess,  she  was  pre- 
pared to  oppose  every  obstacle.  Her  struggles  we 
have  already  described ;  and  only  by  her  own  remon- 
strances were  her  children  prevented  from  at  once 
abandoning  all  and  following  their  mother  into  Italy, 
where,  and  not  in  France,  it  was  first  proposed  she 
should  in  future  reside.  Eugene's  first  interview 
was  with  his  mother ;  afterward  he  saw  Napoleon, 
who  replied  to  his  question  as  to  the  final  certainty 
of  the  divorce  by  tenderly  pressing  his  hand.  "  Sire, 
in  that  case,  permit  me  to  quit  your  service." — 
"  How !"  interrupted  the  emperor,  "  would  you,  Eu- 
gene Beauharnais,  my  adopted  son,  leave  me]"—- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  359 

"  Yes,  sire ;  the  son  of  her  who  is  no  longer  empress 
cannot  remain  viceroy.  I  will  follow  my  mother 
into  her  retreat.  She  must  now  find  her  consolation 
in  her  children." — "  Eugene,  you  know  the  stern  ne- 
cessity which  urges  this  measure :  yet  you  will  quit 
me.  Who,  then,  should  I  have  a  son,  the  object  of 
my  desires  and  preserver  of  my  interests, — who 
would  watch  over  the  child  when  I  am  absent  ]  If 
I  die,  who  will  prove  to  him  a  father?  who  will 
bring  him  up  ?  who  is  to  make  a  man  of  him  1"  Na- 
poleon is  represented  as  having  had  tears  in  his  eyes 
on  pronouncing  these  words.  Eugene  was  also 
greatly  moved,  and  they  retired  together.  The  self- 
denying  devotion  of  Josephine  carried  her  even  so 
far,  as  not  only  to  persuade  her  children  to  witness 
her  own  renouncement  of  the  crown,  but  to  be  pres- 
ent at  the  coronation  of  her  successor.  "  The  em- 
peror," said  she, "  is  your  benefactor,  your  more  than 
father,  to  whom  you  are  indebted  for  every  thing, 
and,  therefore,  owe  a  boundless  obedience."  Her 
own  example  furnished  a  most  affecting  illustration 
of  this  sentiment.  The  Emperor  of  Austria,  at  the 
request  of  his  daughter,  had  directed  inquiries  to  be 
made  respecting  the  religious  ceremonial  of  marriage 
between  Napoleon  and  Josephine,  as  already  de- 
scribed. Maria  Louisa  had  declared  that  she  would, 
after  such  marriage,  regard  an  alliance  with  the 
French  emperor  as  a  sacrilegious  union.  Josephine 
evaded  the  consequence  by  referring  to  the  Moniteur, 
where  she  knew  the  religious  celebration  had  not 
been  inserted. 

"The  fatal  day"  at  length  arrived.  On  the  15th 
of  December,  the  imperial  council  of  state  was  con- 
vened, and  for  the  first  time  officially  informed  of 
the  intended  separation.  On  the  morrow,  the  whole 
of  the  imperial  family  assembled  in  the  grand  saloon 
at  the  Tuileries.  All  were  in  grand  costume.  Na- 
poleon's was  the  only  countenance  which  betrayed 
emotion,  but  ill  concealed  by  the  drooping  plumes 


360  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  his  hat  of  ceremony.  He  stood  motionless  as  a 
statue ;  his  arms  crossed  upon  his  breast,  without 
uttering  a  single  word.  The  members  of  his  family 
were  seated  around,  showing  in  their  expression  less 
of  sympathy  with  so  painful  a  scene  than  of  satis- 
faction that  one  was  to  be  removed  who  had  so  long 
held  influence,  gently  exerted  as  it  had  been,  over 
their  brother.  In  the  centre  of  the  apartment  was 
placed  an  armchair,  and  before  it  a  small  table,  with 
a  writing  apparatus  of  gold.  All  eyes  were  directed 
to  that  spot,  when  a  door  opened,  and  Josephine, 
pale,  but  calm,  appeared,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  her 
daughter,  whose  fast-falling  tears  showed  that  she 
had  not  attained  the  resignation  of  her  mother. 
Both  were  dressed  in  the  simplest  manner.  Jose- 
phine's dress,  of  white  muslin,  exhibited  not  a  single 
ornament.  All  rose  on  her  entrance.  She  moved 
slowly  and  with  wonted  grace  to  the  seat  prepared 
for  her,  and,  her  head  supported  on  her  hand,  with 
the  elbow  resting  on  the  table,  listened  to  the  read- 
ing of  the  act  of  separation.  Behind  her  chair  stood 
Hortense,  Avhose  sobs  were  audible ;  and  a  little  far- 
ther on,  towards  Napoleon,  Eugene,  trembling,  as  if 
incapable  of  supporting  himself.  Josephine  heard 
in  composure,  but  with  tears  coursing  each  other 
down  her  cheeks,  the  words  that  placed  an  eternal 
barrier  between  her  and  greatness,  and,  bitterer  still, 
between  affection  and  its  object.  This  painful  duty 
over,  the  empress  appeared  to  acquire  a  degree  of 
resolution  from  the  very  effort  to  resign  with  dignity 
the  realities  of  title  for  ever.  Pressing  for  an  in- 
stant the  handkerchief  to  her  eyes,  she  rose,  and 
with  a  voice  which,  but  for  a  slight  tremor,  might 
have  been  called  firm,  pronounced  the  oath  of  accept- 
ance ;  then,  sitting  down,  she  took  the  pen  from  the 
hand  of  Count  St.  Jean-d'Angely,  and  signed.  The 
mother  and  daughter  now  retired  as  they  had  en- 
tered, followed  immediately  by  Eugene,  who  appears 
to  have  suffered  most  severely  of  the  three ;  for  he 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  361        ' 

had^rio  sooner  gained  the  space  between  the  folding- 
doors  which  opened  into  the  private  cabinet  than  he 
fell  lifeless  on  the  floor,  and  was  recovered,  not     * 
without  difficulty,  by  the  attentions  of  the  usher  of 
the  cabinet  and  his  own  aids-de-camp. 

The  sad  interests  of  the  day  had  not  yet  been  ex- 
hausted. Josephine  had  remained  unseen,  sorrow- 
ing in  her  chamber,  till  Napoleon's  usual  hour  of 
retiring  to  rest.  He  had  just  placed  himself  in  bed, 
silent  and  melancholy,  while  his  favourite  attendant 
waited  only  to  receive  orders,  when  suddenly  the 
private  door  opened,  and  the  empress  appeared,  her 
hair  in  disorder,  and  her  face  swollen  with  weeping. 
Advancing  with  a  tottering  step,  she  stood,  as  if 
irresolute,  about  a  pace  from  the  bed,  clasped  her 
hands,  and  burst  into  an  agony  of  tears.  Delicacy 
— a  feeling  as  if  she  had  now  no  right'  to  b<-  there — 
seemed  at  first  to  have  arrested  her  prog  ess;  but 
forgetting  every  thing  in  the  fulness  of  her  grief,  she 
threw  herself  on  the  bed,  clasped  her  husband's  neck, 
and  sobbed  as  if  her  heart  had  been  breaking.  Na- 
poleon also  wept  while  he  endeavoured  to  console 
her,  and  they  remained  for  some  time  locked  in  each 
other's  arms,  silently  mingling  their  tears  together, 
until  the  emperor,  perceiving  Constant  in  waiting, 
dismissed  him  to  the  antechamber.  After  an  inter- 
view of  about  an  hour,  Josephine  parted  for  ever 
with  the  man  whom  she  had  so  long  and  so  tenderly 
loved.  On  seeing  the  empress  retire,  which  she  did 
still  in  tears,  the  attendant  entered  to  remove  the 
lights,  and  found  the  chamber  silent  as  death,  and 
Napoleon  so  sunk  among  the  bedclothes  as  to  be  / 
invisible.  Next  morning  he  still  showed  the  marks 
of  suffering,  as  throughout  the  whole  of  these  afflict- 
ing transactions.  At  eleven  Josephine  was  to  bid 
adieu  to  the  Tuileries,  never  to  enter  the  palace 
more.  The  whole  household  assembled  on  the 
stairs  and  in  the  vestibule,  in  order  to  obtain  a  last 
look  of  a  mistress  whom  they  had  loved,  and  who, 
Hh 


362  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  use  an  expression  of  one  present,  "  carried  with 
her  into  exile  the  hearts  of  all  that  had  enjoyed  the 
happiness  of  access  to  her  presence."  Josephine  ap- 
peared, leaning  on  the  arm  of  one  of  her  ladies,  and 
veiled  from  head  to  foot.  She  held  a  handkerchief 
to  her  eyes,  and  moved  forward  amid  silence,  at  first 
uninterrupted,  but  to  which  almost  immediately  suc- 
ceeded a  universal  burst  of  grief.  Josephine,  though 
not  insensible  to  this  proof  of  attachment,  spoke 
not ;  but,  instantly  entering  a  close  carriage  with  six 
horses,  drove  rapidly  away,  without  casting  one  look 
backwards  on  the  scene  of  past  greatness  and  de 
parted  happiness. 

Henceforward,  Josephine's  life  passed  alternately 
at  Malmaison  and  Navarre,  and,  gliding  away  in  an 
equal  tenor  of  benevolent  exertion  and  elegant  em- 
ployment, offers  but  few  incidents.  A  description 
of  one  day  is  the  account  of  all.  The  villa  of  Mal- 
maison, to  which  she  first  retired,  from  its  vicinity 
to  Paris,  might  be  regarded  as  her  residence  of  cere- 
mony. Here  she  received  the  visits,  almost  the 
homage,  of  the  members  of  the  court  of  Napoleon 
and  Maria  Louisa;  for  it  was  quickly  discovered,  that 
however  unpleasant  they  might  be  to  her  new  rival, 
such  visits  were  recommendations  to  the  emperor's 
favour.  A  little  after  nine  these  receptions  took 
place,  and  from  the  visiters  of  the  morning  were 
retained,  or  previously  invited,  some  ten  or  twelve 
guests  to  breakfast  at  eleven.  From  the  personages 
present  being  always  among  the  most  distinguished 
in  Parisian  society,  and  appearing  only  in  uniform 
or  official  costume,  these  morning  parties  were 
equally  agreeable  and  brilliant.  After  breakfast,  the 
empress  adjourned  to  the  saloon,  where  she  con- 
versed for  about  an  hour,  or  walked  in  the  delightfu 
gallery  adjoining,  which  contained  many  of  the  mas- 
terpieces of  painting  and  sculpture.  Of  these,  a  few 
were  ancient,  but  the  greater  number  were  the  works 
of  living  artists,  the  most  distinguished  of  whom 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  363 

were  not  without  obligations  to  the  patronage  of 
Josephine;  and  while  Gros,  Girodet,  Guerin,  with 
their  pencils,  Spontini,  Mehul,  Paer,  Boiedlieu,  with 
their  voice  or  lyre,  Fontanes,  Armtulfr,  Andrieu,  Le- 
mercier,  with  their  pen  or  conversation,  and  Canova, 
with  his  chisel,  adorned  the  gallery  or  the  parties  of 
Malnraison,  they  ranked  among  the  personal  friends 
of  the  mistress  of  the  retreat.  The  arrival  of  the 
carriages  was  the  signal  for  the  departure  of  the 
morning  visiters ;  and  after  a  drive  of  a  couple  of 
hours  in  the  park,  the  empress  and  her  suite  re- 
tired to  dress  for  dinner,  to  which  never  less  than 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  strangers  bat  down.  The 
evening  passed  in  amusement,  conversation,  and 
music,  and  was  always  very  gay,  owing  to  the  num- 
ber of  visiters  from  Paris.  At  eleven,  tea,  ices,  and 
sweetmeats  were  served,  and  at  midnight  the  em- 
press retired.  The  apartments  in  which  these  re- 
unions took  place  were  elegant  and  spacious,  the 
furniture  being  covered  with  needlework,  on  a  ground 
of  white  silk,  wrought  by  the  empress  and  her  la- 
dies; but  the  residence  altogether  was  small,  an 
inconvenience  still  further  increased  through  Jose- 
phine's veneration  of  every  thing  that  had  been 
Napoleon's.  The  apartment  which  he  had  occupied 
remained  exactly  as  he  had  left  it;  she  would  not 
suffer  even  a  chair  to  be  moved,  and,  indeed,  very 
rarely  permitted  any  one  to  enter,  keeping  the  key 
herself,  and  dusting  the  articles  with  her  own  hands. 
On  the  table  was  a  volume  of  history,  with  the  page 
doubled  down  where  he  had  finished  reading ;  beside 
it  lay  a  pen,  with  the  ink  dried  on  the  point,  and  a 
map  of  the  world,  on  which  he  was  accustomed  to 
point  out  his  plans  to  those  in  his  confidence,  and 
which  still  showed  on  its  surface  many  marks  of  his 
impatience.  These  Josephine  would  allow  to  be 
touched  on  no  account.  By  the  wall  stood  Napo- 
leon's camp-bed,  without  curtains ;  and  above  con- 
tinued to  hang  such  of  his  arms  as  he  had  placed 


364  MEMOIRS    OF 


were  flung 


there.  On  different  pieces  of  furniture  were  flung 
various  portions  of  apparel,  just  as  he  had  used  them 
last ;  for,  among  his  other  extraordinary  ways,  he 
had  a  practice,  on  retiring  to  rest,  of  flinging  rather 
than  taking  off  his  clothes,  casting  down  a  coat  here, 
a  vest  there,  usually  pitching  his  watch  into  the  bed, 
and  his  hat  and  shoes  into  the  farthest  corner  of  the 
apartment. 

Josephine's  own  bedchamber,  to  which  she  re- 
moved after  the  divorce,  was  extremely  simple, 
draped  only  with  white  muslin,  its  sole  ornament 
being  the  gold  toilet  service  already  mentioned,  and 
which,  with  a  noble  generosity,  she  refused  to  con- 
sider as  private  property,  till  Napoleon  sent  it  after 
her,  together  with  many  other  valuables  left  behind 
in  like  manner.  The  following  letter,  addressed  to 
her  superintendent,  on  the  subject  of  arrangement 
at  Malmaison,  furnishes  a  pleasing  specimen  of  Jose- 
phine's taste : — 

"  Profit  by  my  absence,  dear  F ,  and  make  haste 

to  dismantle  the  pavilion  of  the  acacias,  and  to  trans- 
fer my  boudoir  into  that  of  the  orangery.  I  should 
wish  the  first  apartment  of  the  suite,  and  which 
serves  for  an  anteroom,  to  be  painted  light  green, 
with  a  border  of  lilacs.  In  the  centre  of  the  panels 
you  will  place  my  fine  engravings  from  Esther,  and 
under  each  of  these  a  portrait  of  the  distinguished 
generals  of  the  Revolution.  In  the  centre  of  the 
apartment  there  must  be  a  large  flower-stand  con- 
stantly filled  with  fresh  flowers  in  their  season,  and 
in  each  angle  a  bust  of  a  French  philosopher.  I  par- 
ticularly mention  that  of  Rousseau,  which  place  be- 
tween the  two  windows,  so  that  the  vines  and  foliage 
may  play  around  his  head.  This  will  be  a  natural 
crown  worthy  of  the  author  of  Emile.  As  to  my 
private  cabinet,  let  it  be  coloured  light  blue,  with  a 
border  of  ranunculus  and  polyanthus.  Ten  large 
engravings  from  the  Gallery  of  the  Musee,  and  twenty 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  365 

medallions  will  fill  up  the  panels.  Let  the  casements 
be  painted  white  and  green,  with  double  fillets  gilded. 
My  piano,  a  green  sofa,  and  two  chaises  longues^iih 
corresponding  covers,  a  secretaire,  a  small  bureau, 
and  a  large  toilet-glass  are  articles  you  will  not  for- 
get. In  the  centre  place  a  large  table  always  cov- 
ered with  freshly-gathered  flowers;  and  upon  the 
mantel-shelf  a  simple  pendule,  two  alabaster  vases, 
and  double-branched  girandoles.  Unite  elegance  to 
variety ;  but  no  study,  no  profusion.  Nothing  is 
more  opposed  to  good  taste.  In  short,  I  confide  to 
you  the  care  of  rendering  this  cherished  spot  an 
agreeable  retreat,  where  I  may  meditate — sleep,  it 
may  be — but  oftenest  read ;  which  says  sufficient  to 
remind  you  of  three  hundred  volumes  of  my  small 
edition." 

But  time,  the  only  balm  for  wounds  such  as  hers, 
was  required  before  Josephine  could  freely  give  her- 
self up  to  retirement.  In  detailing  her  life  at  Mal- 
maison,  therefore,  we  have  anticipated;  describing 
rather  what  it  subsequently  became  than  as  it  was 
immediately  on  the  divorce.  For  long  after  that 
event  she  did  little  but  weep ;  and  so  severe  had  been 
her  sufferings,  that  it  was  six  months  before  her  sight 
recovered  from  the  effects  of  inflammation  and  swell- 
ing of  the  eyes.  The  first  circumstance  which  pro- 
duced something  like  a  change  for  the  better  was 
her  removal  to  Navarre,  the  restoring  and  embellish- 
ment of  which  became  at  once  a  source  of  amuse- 
ment and  a  means  of  benevolence.  This,  formerly 
a  royal  residence,  and  celebrated  by  Delille  for  the 
magnificent  beauties  of  its  park,  had  been  visited  by 
the  usual  consequences  of  the  Revolution,  and,  when 
purchased  by  the  ex-empress,  was  in  a  state  of  nearly 
complete  dilapidation.  The  chateau  itself,  or,  as  it 
was  called,  palace,  though  small,  is  delightfully  situ- 
ated, surrounded  and  overhung  by  the  romantic  forest 
of  Evreux.  The  park,  of  great  extent,  was  traversed 


366  MEMOIRS  or 

by  beautiful  streams  and  intersected  by  lakes,  which, 
being  partly  artificial,  had  become  putrescent  marshes 
from  the  neglect  of  the  watercourses.  A  million 
francs  (41, 600/.)>  advanced  by  Napoleon  on  her  ie- 
tired  allowance,  were  expended  in  the  first  instance ; 
the  marshes  were  drained,  the  roads  through  the 
forest  repaired,  public  buildings  erected;  by  which 
means,  with  planting  and  agriculture,  Josephine  en- 
joyed the  satisfaction  of  spreading  comfort  and  fer- 
tility over  a  neighbourhood  where  formerly  reigned 
extreme  misery. 

At  Navarre  Josephine  lived  a  much  more  retired 
and,  to  her,  more  agreeable  mode  of  life,  because 
freer  from  etiquette,  than  at  Malmaison.  Though 
almost  never  without  visiters  of  the  highest  rank, 
and  though  constantly  surrounded  with  all  the  pomp 
and  attendance  of  a  court,  her  courtiers  were  for  the 
most  part  old  and  valued  friends,  with  whom  she 
lived  rather  in  society  than  as  mistress  and  depend- 
ants. The  following  was  the  general  plan  of  the 
day : — At  ten  o'clock  breakfast  was  served ;  and  it 
•was  the  duty  of  the  ladies  and  chamberlains  in  at- 
tendance to  be  in  the  saloon  to  receive  her  majesty, 
who  was  exact  to  a  minute  in  all  such  arrangements. 
**  I  have  never,"  she  used  to  say,  "  kept  any  one 
waiting  for  me  half  a  minute,  when  to  be  punctual 
depended  on  myself.  Punctuality  is  true  politeness, 
especially  in  the  great."  From  the  saloon  the  em- 
press immediately  passed  into  the  breakfast-room, 
followed  by  her  court,  according  to  their  rank; 
naming  herself  those  who  were  to  sit  on  her  right 
and  left.  Both  at  breakfast  and  dinner  the  repast 
consisted  of  one  course  only,  every  thing  except  the 
dessert  being  placed  on  the  table  at  once.  The  em- 
press had  five  attendants  behind  her  chair,  and  those 
who  sat  down  with  her  one  each.  Seven  officials 
of  different  ranks  performed  the  ordinary  service 
of  the  table.  After  breakfast,  which  was  never  pro- 
longed beyond  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  the  empress, 
with  her  ladies,  retired  to  a  long  room  named  the 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  367 

gallery,  adorned  with  pictures  and  statues,  and  com- 
manding a  beautiful  prospect,  where  they  continued 
to  employ  themselves  in  various  elegant  or  useful 
works,  while  the  chamberlain  in  attendance  read 
aloud  to  the  party.  At  two,  when  the  weather  per- 
mitted, the  ladies  rode  out  in  three  open  carriages, 
each  with  four  horses,  Madame  u'Arberg,  lady  of 
honour,  one  of  the  ladies  in  waiting,  and  a  distin- 
guished visiter  always  accompanying  the  empress. 
In  this  manner  passed  two  hours  in  examining  im- 
provements, and  freely  conversing  with  every  one 
who  desired  any  thing,  when  the  party  returned,  and 
all  had  the  disposal  of  their  time  till  six  o'clock,  the 
hour  of  dinner.  This  repast  concluded,  the  evening, 
till  eleven,  was  dedicated  to  relaxation,  the  empress 
playing  at  backgammon,  piquet,  or  casino  with  the 
personages  of  her  household,  or  guests  whom  she 
named  for  that  honour,  or  conversing  generally  with 
the  whole  circle.  When^  strangers  were  present,  no 
money  was  played  for ;  but  at  other  times,  a  small 
sum  served  to  give  interest  to  the  game.  The 
younger  ladies,  whether  members  of  the  household 
or  visiters,  of  whom  there  were  always  several,  often 
many,  whose  education  Josephine  thus  completed 
by  retaining  them  near  her  person,  usually  adjourned 
to  a  small  saloon  off  the  drawing-room,  where  a  harp 
and  piano  invited  either  to  music  or  the  dance  under 
the  control  of  some  experienced  matron.  Some- 
times, however,  this  slight  restraint  was  forgotten, 
and  the  noise  of  the  juvenile  party  somewhat  incom- 
moded their  seniors  in  the  grand  apartment.  On 
these  occasions,  the  lady  of  honour,  who  had  the 
charge  of  the  whole  establishment,  and  was,  more- 
over, a  strict  disciplinarian,  would  hint  the  necessity 
of  repressing  the  riot;  but  Josephine  always  op- 
posed this.  "  Suffer,  my  dear  Madame  d'Arberg," 
she  would  say,  "  both  them  and  us  to  enjoy,  while 
we  may,  that  delightful  innocency  of  mirth  which 
comes  from  the  heart  and  goes  to  the  heart."  At 
eleven,  tea  was  served,  and  the  visiters  retired ;  but 


368  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  empress  generally  remained  for  an  hour  longer, 
conversing  with  her  ladies.  "  These  conversations," 
says  one  who  frequently  bore  a  part  in  them, "  af- 
forded the  best  means  of  judging  of  the  strength  of 
her  understanding  and  the  goodness  of  her  heart 
She  loved  to  give  herself  up,  without  reserve,  to  the 
pleasure  of  this  confidential  intercourse,  but  would 
sometimes  check  herself  in  the  midst  of  an  interest- 
ing recital,  observing,  '  I  know  that  every  thing  I 
say  is  reported  to  the  emperor,  a  circumstance  ex- 
tremely disagreeable,  not  in  itself  so  much  as  in  the 
consequent  restraint  which  it  imposes.'  Napoleon, 
in  fact,  had  intelligence  within  a  few  hours  of  every 
thing  which  was  done  or  said  at  Malmaison  and  Na- 
varre. I  know  not  that  the  member  of  our  circle 
who  thus  played  the  spy  was  ever  suspected,  but 
certain  it  is,  such  an  official  existed."  On  this  sub- 
ject, we  may  remark,  that  the  same  system  prevailed 
also  at  St.  Cloud  and  the  Tuileries ;  but  what  was 
most  singular,  besides  the  regular  police  established 
by  Napoleon  a  ad  Josephine  for  mutual  surveillance, 
some  one  member  of  the  court  had  gratuitously  as- 
sumed the  office  of  secret  reporter.  Within  a  few 
hours  the  emperor  or  empress  received  information 
of  whatever  had  occurred  of  a  particular  nature  in 
the  conduct  of  either,  which  the  one  might  be  deemed 
desirous  of  concealing  from  the  other.  These  com- 
munications came  by  the  ordinary  letter-office  at- 
tached to  the  palaces,  were  evidently  by  the  same 
hand,  and  yet  the  writer  remained  undetected. 

The  following  document  presents  an  agreeab  e 
view  of  Josephine's  resignation,  and  completes  the 
picture  just  sketched  of  her  ordinary  mode  of  life 
during  the  whole  period  of  her  retreat : — 

Josephine  to  Napoleon  (from  Navarre). 

"  SIRE, — I  received,  this  morning,  the  welcome 
note  which  was  written  on  the  eve  of  your  departure 
for  St.  Cloud,  and  hasten  to  reply  to  it?,  tender  and 
affectionate  contents  These*  indeed,  do  not  in 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  369 

themselves  surprise  me ;  but  only  as  being-  received 
so  early  as  fifteen  days  after  my  establishment  here ; 
so  perfectly  assured  was  I  that  your  attachment 
would  search  out  the  means  of  consoling  me  under 
a  separation  necessary  to  the  tranquillity  of  both. 
The  thought  that  your  care  follows  me  into  my 
retreat  renders  it  almost  agreeable. 

"After  having  known  all  the  sweets  of  a  love 
that  is  shared,  and  all  the  suffering  of  one  that  is  so 
no  longer;  after  having  exhausted  all  the  pleasures 
that  supreme  power  can  confer,  and  the  happiness 
of  beholding  the  man  whom  I  loved  enthusiastically 
admired,  is  there  aught  else,  save  repose,  to  be  de- 
sired ]  What  illusions  can  now  remain  for  me  1  All 
such  vanished  when  it  became  necessary  to  renounce 
you.  Thus,  the  only  ties  which  yet  bind  me  to  life 
are  my  sentiments  for  you,  attachment  for  my  chil- 
dren, the  possibility  of  being  able  still  to  do  some 
good,  and,  above  all,  the  assurance  that  you  are 
happy.  Do  not,  then,  condole  with  me  on  my  being 
here,  distant  from  a  court,  which  you  appear  to 
think  I  regret.  Surrounded  by  those  who  are 
attached  to  me,  free  to  follow  my  taste  for  the  arts, 
I  find  myself  better  at  Navarre  than  anywhere  else ; 
for  I  enjoy  more  completely  the  society  of  the  for- 
mer, and  form  a  thousand  projects  which  may  prove 
useful  to  the  latter,  and  will  embellish  the  scenes  I 
owe  to  your  bounty.  There  is  much  to  be  done 
here,  for  all  around  are  discovered  the  traces  of 
destruction :  these  I  would  efface,  that  there  may 
exist  no  memorial  of  those  horrible  inflictions  which 
your  genius  has  taught  the  nation  almost  to  forget. 
In  repairing  whatever  these  ruffians  of  revolution 
laboured  to  annihilate,  I  shall  diffuse  comfort  around 
me  ;  and  the  benedictions  of  the  poor  will  afford  me 
infinitely  more  pleasure  than  the  feigned  adulations 
of  courtiers. 

"I  have  already  told  you  what  I  think  of  the 
functionaries  in  this  department,  but  have  not  spoken 
sufficiently  of  the  respectable  bishop  (M.  Bourlier). 


370  MEMOIHS    OF 

Every  day  I  learn  some  new  trait  which  causes  me 
still  more  highly  to  esteem  the  man  who  unites  the 
most  enlightened  benevolence  with  the  most  amiable 
dispositions.  He  shall  be  intrusted  with  distributing 
my  alms-deeds  in  Evreux  ;  and  as  he  visits  the  indi- 
gent himself,  I  shall  be  assured  that  my  charities 
are  properly  bestowed. 

"I  cannot  sufficiently  thank  you,  sire,  for  the 
liberty  you  have  permitted  me  of  choosing  the  mem- 
bers of  my  household,  all  of  whom  contribute  to  the 
pleasure  of  a  delightful  society.  One  circumstance 
alone  gives  me  pain,  namely,  the  etiquette  of  cos- 
tume, which  becomes  a  little  tiresome  in  the  country. 
You  fear  that  there  may  be  something  wanting  to 
the  rank  I  have  preserved,  should  a  slight  infraction 
be  allowed  in  the  toilet  of  these  gentlemen ;  but  I 
believe  you  are  wrong  in  thinking  they  would,  for 
one  minute,  forget  the  respect  due  to  the  woman 
who  was  your  companion.  Their  respect  for  your- 
self, joined  to  the  sincere  attachment  they  bear  to 
me  (which  I  cannot  doubt),  secures  me  against  the 
danger  of  being  ever  obliged  to  recall  what  it  is  your 
wish  they  sheuld  remember.  My  most  honourable 
title  is  derived,  not  from  having  been  crowned,  but 
assuredly  from  having  been  chosen  by  you — none 
other  is  of  value — that  alone  suffices  for  my  immor- 
tality. 

"  I  expect  Eugene.  I  doubly  long  to  see  him ;  for 
he  will  doubtless  bring  me  a  new  pledge  of  your 
remembrance ;  and  I  can  question  him  at  my  ease 
of  a  thousand  things  concerning  which  I  desire  to 
be  informed,  but  cannot  inquire  of  you  ;  things,  too, 
of  which  you  ought  still  less  to  speak  to  me.  My 
daughter  will  come  also,  but  later,  her  health  not 
permitting  her  to  travel  at  this  season.  1  beseech 
you,  sire,  to  recommend  that  she  take  care  of  her- 
self; and  insist,  since  I  am  to  remain  here,  that  she 
do  every  thing  possible  to  spare  me  the  insupporta- 
ble anxiety  I  feel  under  any  increase  of  her  ill  health. 
The  weakness  in  her  chest  alarms  me  beyond  all 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  371 

expression.     I  desire  Corvisart  to  write  me  his 
opinion  without  reserve. 

"  My  circle  is  at  ^his  time  somewhat  more  nume- 
rous than  usual,  there  being  several  visiters,  besides 
many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Evreux  and  the  environs, 
whom  I  see,'  of  course.  I  am  pleased  with  their 
manners,  and  with  their  admiration  of  you, — a  par- 
ticular in  which,  as  you  know,  I  am  not  easily  satis- 
lied  ;  in  short,  I  muTmyself  perfectly  at  home  in  the 
midst  of  my  forest,  and  entreat  you,  sire,  no  longer 
to  fancy  to  yourself  that  there  is  no  living  at  a  dis- 
tance from  court.  Besides  you  there  is  nothing 
there  I  regret,  since  I  shall  have  my  children  with 
me  soon,  and  already  enjoy  the  society  of  the  small 
number  of  friends  who  remained  faithful  to  me. 
Do  not  forget  your  friend;  tell  her  sometimes  that 
you  preserve  for  her  an  attachment  which  consti- 
tutes the  felicity  of  her  life ;  often  repeat  to  her  that 
you  are  happy,  and  be  assured  that  for  her  the 
future  will  thus  be  peaceful,  as  the  past  has  besn 
stormy — and  often  sad." 

The  first  event  of  importance  which  broke  in 
upon  this  tranquillity,  was  the  birth  of  the  King  of 
Rome  on  the  26th  March,  1.811.  With  more  than 
even  ths  usual  share  of  self-devotedness  which  be- 
longs exclusively  to  woman's  attachment,  Josephine 
could  not  forget  that  she  had  been  a  wife  and  an 
empress.  The  announcement,  therefore,  of  the  hap- 
piness of  a  rival  in  each  of  these  capacities,  though 
her  habitual  prudence  and  respect  for  Napoleon 
repressed  all  external  signs,  could  not  but  bo  ex- 
tremely painful.  It  happened  that  her  whole  house- 
hold were  in  Evreux  at  a  grand  entertainment  given 
by  the  prefect,  at  the  moment  when  the  news 
reached,that  functionary,  with  orders  for  rejoicings. 
The  party  returned  immediately  to  the  palace,  where 
Josephine  had  remained  with  the  Princess  d'Arberg, 
her  lady  of  honour.  "I  confess,"  says  Madame* 
Decrest,  then  a  youthful  visiter  at  Navarre,  "  that 


372  MEMOIRS   OF 

my  boundless  affection  for  Josephine  caused  me 
violent  sorrow,  when  I  thought  that  she  who  occu- 
pied her  place  was  now  completely  happy.  Know- 
ing as  yet  but  imperfectly  the  grandeur  of  soul 
which  characterized  the  empress,  her  entire  denial 
of  self,  and  absolute  devotion  to  the  happiness  of 
the  emperor,  1  imagined  there  must  still  remain  in 
her  so  much  of  the  woman  as  would  excite  bitter 
regret  at  not  having  been  the  mother  of  a  son  so 
ardently  desired.  I  judged  like  a  frivolous  person 
of  the  gay  world,  who  had  never  known  cares  be- 
yond those  of  a  ball.  On  arriving  at  the  palace, 
where  the  first  comers  had  spread  the  news,  I  learned 
how  to  appreciate  one  who  had  so  long  been  the 
cherished  companion,  often  the  counsellor,  and 
always  the  true  friend  of  Napoleon.  I  beheld  every 
face  beaming  with  joy,  and  Josephine's  more  radiant 
than  any,  for  all  but  reflected  her  satisfaction.  No 
sooner  had  the  party  from  the  carriages  entered  the 
saloon,  than  she  eagerly  inquired  what  details  we 
had  learned.  '  I  do  regret,'  she  continued  to  repeat, 
*  being  so  far  distant  from  Paris :  at  Malmaison  I 
could  have  had  information  every  half  hour !  I 
greatly  rejoice  that  the  painful  sacrifice  which  I 
made  for  France  is  likely  to  be  useful,  and  that  her 
future  destiny  is  now  secure.  How  happy  the  em- 
peror must  be !  One  thing  alone  makes  me  sad ; 
namely,  not  having  been  informed  of  that  happiness 
by  himself:  but  then  he  has  so  many  orders  to  give* 
so  many  congratulations  to  receive.  Young  ladies, 
we  must  do  here  as  elsewhere ;  there  must  be  a 
fete  to  solemnize  the  accomplishment  of  so  many 
vows.  I  will  give  you  a  ball.  And,  as  the  saloons 
are  small,  I  will  have  the  hall  of  the  guards  floored 
above  the  marble ;  for  the  whole  city  of  Evreux 
must  come  to  rejoice  with  us  :  I  can  never  have  too 
many  people  on  this  occasion.  Make  your  pre- 
parations ;  get  ready  some  of  my  jewels ;  I  must 
not,  in  the  present  case,  continue  to  receive  my 
visiters  in  a  bonnet  de  nuit.  As  for  you,  gentlemen. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  373 

I  require  for  this  once  your  grand  costume.'  I  have 
added  nothing,"  says  our  agreeable  authority,  "  to 
these  words  of  Josephine ;  only  they  were  not  all 
uttered  in  regular  succession.  Her  majesty's  pleas- 
ing countenance  was,  if  possible,  more  than  usually 
open  and  frank  in  its  expression  while  she  spoke, 
and  never,  in  my  opinion,  did  she  show  herself  moie 
worthy  of  the  high  fortune  she  had  enjoyed." 

The  omission,  however,  in  not  despatching  an 
especial  messenger  to  Navarre,  seems  to  have  greatly 
pained  Josephine ;  for  the  same  night  she  wrote  the 
following  delicate,  yet  touching,  letter  to  Napoleon : — 

"  Navarre,  March  20-21,  1811. 

"  SIRE, — Amid  the  numerous  felicitations  which 
you  receive  from  every  corner  of  Europe,  from  all 
the  cities  of  France,  and  from  each  regiment  of  your 
army,  can  the  feeble  voice  of  a  woman  reach  your 
ear,  and  will  you  deign  to  listen  to  her  who  so  often 
consoled  your  sorrows  and  sweetened  your  pains, 
now  that  she  speaks  to  you  only  of  that  happiness 
in  which  all  your  wishes  are  fulfilled  ?  Having 
ceased  to  be  your  wife,  dare  I  felicitate  you  on  be- 
coming a  father  ?  Yes,  sire,  without  hesitation,  for 
my  soul  renders  justice  to  yours,  in  like  manner  as 
you  know  mine  ;  I  can  conceive  every  emotion  you 
must  experience,  as  you  divine  all  that  I  feel  at  this 
moment ;  and,  though  separated,  we  are  united  by 
that  sympathy  which  survives  all  events. 

"  I  should  have  desired  to  learn  the  birth  of  the 
King  of  Rome  from  yourself,  and  not  from  the  sound 
of  the  cannon  of  Evreux,  or  the  courier  of  the  pre- 
fect ;  1  know,  however,  that  in  preference  to  all, 
your  first  attentions  are  due  to  the  public  authorities 
of  the  state,  to  the  foreign  ministers,  to  your  family, 
and  especially  to  the  fortunate  princess  who  has 
realized  your  dearest  hopes.  She  cannot  be  more 
tenderly  devoted  to  you  than  I ;  but  she  has  been 
enabled  to  contribute  more  towards  your  happiness, 
li 


374  MEMOIRS   OF 

by  securing  that  of  France.  She  has  then  a  right 
to  your  first  feelings,  to  all  your  cares ;  and  I,  who 
was  but  your  companion  in  times  of  difficulty — I 
cannot  ask  more  than  a  place  in  your  affection,  far 
removed  from  that  occupied  by  the  Empress  Maria 
Louisa.  Not  till  you  shall  have  ceased  to  watch  by 
her  bed,  not  till  you  are  weary  of  embracing  your 
son,  will  you  take  the  pen  to  converse  with  your 
best  friend.— I  will  wait. 

"Meanwhile,  it  is  not  possible  for  me  to  delay 
telling  you,  that  more  than  any  one  in  the  world  do 
I  rejoice  in  your  joy;  and  you  doubt  not  my  sin- 
cerity, when  I  here  say,  that,  far  from  feeling  afflic- 
tion at  a  sacrifice  necessary  to  the  repose  of  all,  I 
congratulate  myself  on  having  made  it,  since  I  now 
suffer  alone.  But  I  am  wrong— I  do  not  suffer, 
while  you  are  happy ;  and  have  but  one  regret,  in 
not  having  yet  done  enough  to  prove  to  you  how 
dear  you  were  to  me.  I  have  no  account  of  the 
health  of  the  empress  ;  I  dare  to  depend  upon  you, 
sire,  so  far  as  to  hope  that  T  shall  have  circumstan- 
tial details  of  the  great  event  which  assures  the 
perpetuity  of  the  name  you  have  so  nobly  illustrated. 
Eugene  and  Hortense  will  write  me,  imparting  their 
own  satisfaction  ;  but  it  is  from  you  that  I  desire  to 
know  if  your  child  be  well — if  he  resemble  you — if 
I  shall  one  day  be  permitted  to  see  him ;  in  short,  I 
expect  from  you  unlimited  confidence,  and  upon 
such  I  have  some  claims,  in  consideration,  sire,  of 
the  boundless  attachment  I  shall  cherish  for  you 
while  life  remains." 

On  the  morrow,  Eugene  arrived  at  Malmaison,  and 
from  him  Josephine  obtained  the  details  about  which 
she  had  felt  such  anxiety.  For  a  time,  the  most 
serious  apprehensions  had  been  entertained  for  the 
life  of  both  mother  and  child.  Napoleon  continued 
to  walk  backwards  and  forwards  in  the  saloon  ad- 
joining the  imperial  bedchamber ;  but,  amid  the  most 
agitating  fears,  he  showed  his  presence  of  mind  and 


THE   EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  375 

wonderful  command  of  himself,  by  giving  to  Dubois* 
the  only  direction  which  left  a  chance  to  the  em- 
press. "  Treat  my  wife  as  you  would  a  shopkeeper's 
in  the  Rue  St.  Denis."  The  danger  becoming  still 
more  pressing,  a  fear  arose  that  either  the  empress 
or  her  infant  must  be  sacrificed.  "  Save  my  wife !" 
exclaimed  Napoleon ;  "  the  rest  affects  me  little." 
— ""Assuredly,"  says  our  authority,  one  who  heard 
the  viceroy's  account,  "  Eugene  would  not  have 
ventured  such  a  recital  of  Napoleon's  love  for  Maria 
Louisa,  had  he  not  known  that  his  mother  had 
frankly  resigned  her  claims  to  what  she  considered 
the  necessities  of  the  state."  How  unjustly,  there- 
fore, have  those  judged  her,  who  say  that  she 
regretted  the  emperor  more  than  the  husband.  The 
viceroy  further  assured  Josephine,  that  the  emperor 
had  said  to  him,  on  departing,  "  You  are  going  to 
see  your  mother,  ^Eugene  ;  tell  her,  that  I  am  cer- 
tain she  will  rejoice  more  than  any  one  at  my  good 
fortune.  1  would  have  written  to  her  already,  had 
I  not  been  completely  absorbed  in  the  pleasure  of 
looking  upon  my  son.  I  tear  myself  from  him  only 
to  attend  to  the  most  indispensable  duties.  This 
evening,  I  will  discharge  the  sweetest  duty  of  all — 
I  will  write  to  Josephine." 

Accordingly,  about  eleven  o'clock  the  same  even- 
ing, the  folding-doors  were  opened  in  great  form, 
and  the  announcement,  "  from  the  emperor,"  ushered 
in  one  of  his  own  pages,  bearer  of  a  letter  from 
Napoleon.  Josephine  recognised  the  youth,  after  a 
lapse  of  two  years,  and,  concealing  her  own  anxiety, 
conversed  with  him  on  his  family,  for  she  perceived 
that,  from  fear  of  losing  the  emperor's  billet,  he  had 
so  secured  it  about  his  person  as  to  render  its  re- 
covery a  work  of  some  time.  The  empress  retired 
to  read  this  ardently  desired  communication ;  and, 
on  re-entering  the  saloon,  after  an  absence  of  half 
an  hour,  it  was  easy  to  perceive  that  she  had  been 
weeping,  and  that  the  viceroy,  who  had  accom- 

*  A  celebrated  accoucheur  who  attended  Maria  Louisa. 


376  MEMOIRS   OF 

panied  her,  exhibited  also  much  emotion.  •* 
dared  not,"  says  one  who  was  present,  "  question 
the  empress  ;  but,  observing  our  curiosity,  she  had 
the  condescension  to  gratify  us  with  a  sight  of  the 
letter;  it  consisted  of  about  ten  or  twelve  lines, 
traced  on  one  page,  and  was,  as  usual,  covered  with 
blots.  I  do  not  exactly  remember  the  commence- 
ment, but  the  conclusion  was,  word  for  word, — '  This 
infant,  in  concert  with  our  Eugene,  will  constitute 
my  happiness  and  that  of  France.' — *  Is  it  possible,' 
remarked  the  empress,  Mo  be  more  amiable?  or 
could  any  thing  be  better  calculated  to  sooth  what- 
ever might  be  painful  in  my  thoughts  at  this  mo- 
ment, did  I  not  so  sincerely  love  the  emperor  1  This 
uniting  of  my  son  with  his  own  is  indeed  worthy  of 
him,  who,  when  he  wills,  is  the  most  delightful  of 
men.  This  it  is  which  has  so  much  moved  me.' 
Calling,  then,  for  the  messenger,  Josephine  said, 
'  For  the  emperor, — and  for  yourself — giving  the 
page  a  letter,  and  a  small  morocco  case,  containing 
a  diamond  brooch,  value  five  thousand  francs  (two 
hundred  guineas).  This,  indeed,  was  the  present 
intended  for  the  messenger  should  the  child  be  a 
girl,  a«  \  one  of  twelve  thousand  francs  for  a  boy ; 
but,  with  her  usual  good  taste,  she  made  this  altera- 
tion, fearing  that  peo-ie  might  talk  rather  of  her 
munificence  than  sat'  -faction.  Exactly  in  the  same 
style  of  splendid  propriety  was  given  the  entertain- 
ment which  she  had  promised  to  her  little  court." 

Josephine  had  even  carried  her  compliance  so  far 
as  to  attempt  an  intercourse  with  Maria  Louisa. 
Napoleon,  too,  encouraged  this  correspondence,  a?,d 
spoke  to  his  young  bride  on  the  subject.  "  But  the 
latter,"  to  use  Josephine's  own  words,  "rejected 
this  proposal  with  such  manifest  dissatisfaction,  that 
it  was  not  renewed.  I  am  feorry  for  it ;  her  presence 
would  have  given  me  no  uneasiness,  and  I  might 
have  bestowed  good  counsel  as  to  the  best  means 
of  pleasing  the  emperor."  Upon  the  present  occa- 
sion, another  effort  was  made,  and,  unless  we  are 


THE    EMPRESS   JOSEPHINE.  377 

mistaken,  the  reader  will  discover  much  nobleness 
in  the  following  letter : — 

Josephine  to  Maria  Louisa. 

"MADAM, — While  you  were  only  the  second  spouse 
of  the  emperor,  I  deemed  it  becoming  to  maintain 
silence  towards  your  majesty;  that  reserve,  I  think, 
may  be  laid  aside,  now  that  you  are  become  the 
mother  of  an  heir  to  the  empire.  You  might  have 
had  some  difficulty  in  crediting  the  sincerity  of  her 
whom,  perhaps,  you  regarded  as  a  rival ;  you  will 
give  faith  to  the  felicitations  of  a  Frenchwoman, 
for  you  have  bestowed  a  son  upon  France.  Your 
amiableness  and  sweetness  of  disposition  have 
gained  you  the  heart  of  the  emperor  ;  your  benevo- 
lence merits  the  blessings  of  the  unfortunate;  the 
birth  of  a  son  claims  the  benedictions  of  all  France. 
How  amiable  a  people — how  feeling — how  deserving 
of  admiration  are  the  French !  To  use "  an  expres- 
sion which  paints  them  exactly — '  they  love  to  love  /' 
Oh  !  how  delightful,  then,  to  be  loved  by  them  !  It 
is  upon  this  facility,  and,  at  the  same  time,  steadi- 
ness of  affection,  that  the  partisans  of  their  ancient 
kings  have  so  long  rested  their  expectations ;  and 
here  their  trust  is  not  without  reason.  Whatever 
may  happen,  the  name  of  Henri  IV.,  for  instance, 
will  always  be  reverenced.  It  must  be  confessed, 
however,  that  the  Revolution,  without  corrupting 
the  heart,  has  greatly  extended  the  intelligence,  and 
rendered  the  spirits  of  men  more  exacting.  Under 
our  kings,  they  were  satisfied  with  repose — now  they 
demand  glory.  These,  madam,  are  the  two  bless- 
ings, the  foretaste  of  which  you  have  been  called  to 
give  to  France.  She  will  enjoy  them  in  perfection 
under  your  son,  if  to  the  manly  virtues  of  his  sire 
he  join  those  of  his  august  mother,  by  which  they 
may  be  tempered." 

Though  the  preceding  pages  have  presented  a 


878  MEMOIRS    OF 

general  view  of  Josephine's  manner  of  life  during 
the  interesting  years  of  its  close,  the  remaining 
portion  of  these  memoirs  might  be  almost  indefi- 
nitely prolonged.  A  more  particular  account  of  her 
retirement  would  furnish  anecdotes  of  her  inter- 
course with  most  of  the  marked  individuals  of  the 
times,  who  in  turn  appeared  in  the  saloon  of  Mal- 
maison,  or  shared  in  the  solitude  of  Navarre. 
Materials,  too,  are  abundant  and  authentic ;  but  in- 
teresting as  these  would  be,  we  omit  them  with  less 
regret  than  the  details  that  might  be  given  of  Jose- 
phine's unwearied  beneficence,  gentleness,  and  re- 
signation. Her  character  had  always  been  pecu- 
liarly distinguished  for  those  softer  qualities  which 
constitute  the  amiable  woman;  and  now,  in  the 
season  of  comparative  adversity,  her  life  read  one 
continuous  lesson  of  practical  virtue.  Out  of  an  in- 
come of  125,000/.  per  annum,  a  sum  by  no  means 
large,  with  an  imperial  title,  and  establishment  con- 
forming, to  be  supported,  between  four  and  five 
thousand  a-year  were  expended  in  charity  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Navarre  alone ;  this  is  exclusive 
of  the  sums  disbursed  to  the  poor  at  Malmaison,  and 
throughout,  the  whole  of  France,  for  whenever  mis- 
fortune was  known  to  Josephine,  its  claims  met 
with  sympathy  and  relief.  Nor  was  this  a  thought- 
less profusion,  as  some  have  represented,  or  produc- 
tive of  embarrassment  in  her  family  concerns.  Her 
charities  were  confided  to  competent  and  pious 
men,  while  her  own  sorrows  had  taught  discrimina- 
tion; and  the  slight  disorder  at  first  occasioned  by 
the  injudicious  purchases  of  an  agent  at  Navarre, 
4;he  waste  of  her  attendants,  too  apt  to  forget  the 
diminished  resources  of  their  mistress,  and,  it  may 
be,  her  own  inexperience  of  a  limited  income,  was 
quickly  restored,  the  establishments  at  Malmaison 
and  Navarre  being  latterly  distinguished  alike  for 
economy  as  for  elegance. 

But  the  goodness  which  consists  in  merely  dis- 
tributing money,  however  judiciously  applied,  migh 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  379 

be  deemed  no  great  virtue  in  one  of  so  benevolent  a 
temperament,  and  long  accustomed  to  command  an 
influence  so  extensive.  It  is,  therefore,  upon  an  in- 
nate kindliness  of  heart,  an  attuning  of  the  whole 
moral  affections  to  sympathize  with  sorrow  and  mis- 
fortune, that  we  claim  for  our  subject  her  title  of 
"  the  excellent  Josephine."  The  benevolence  which 
regards  the  feelings  of  inferiors,  which  respects  and 
pities  while  it  relieves,  as  it  is  infinitely  the  rarest, 
so  it  is  by  far  the  most  exalted  charity.  This  had 
always  appeared  predominant  in  her  conduct,  but 
never  more  than  during  the  period  now  under  con- 
sideration. The  empress  is  never  known  to  have 
used  one  harsh  expression  towards  any  in  her  little 
court ;  but,  in  the  case  of  real  offence,  she  used  to 
punish  the  fault  by  not  speaking  to  the  delinquent 
for  a  length  of  time  proportioned  to  the  cause  of  dis- 
pleasure. So  effectual  did  this  prove,  that  there  is 
no  instance  of  the  necessity  of  a  repeated  infliction. 
The  household,  which  was' thus  controlled,  be  it  re- 
membered, was  one  of  imperial  magnificence ;  for 
Napoleon  would  suffer  nothing  to  be  changed  in  the 
regal  state  to  which  she  had  been  accustomed  in  the 
Tuileries,  and  even  added  twelve  pages  after  the 
establishment  had  been  completed.  Her  immediate 
circle  consisted  of  tried  friends, — a  circumstance 
which  gave  a  tenderness  to  the  intercourse  at  Na- 
varre rarely  to  be  found  in  courts.  The  following 
extract  from  one  of  her  letters  on  this  subject  is 
pleasing  :— 

"You  will  find  with  me  the  gentlest  and  most 
agreeable  society.  Some  of  my  ladies  are  kind  and 
good ;  they  have  not  always  been  happy,  and  will 
therefore  sympathize  in  your  melancholy  without 
forcing  you  to  be  gay ;  others  will  beguile  you  of 
your  sorrows  by  the  charms  of  their  wit ;  and  with 
the  gentlemen  of  my  court  you  may  converse  on 
those  acquirements  which  you  have  cultivated  with 
pleasure  and  success.  Some  young  persoas.in.whom 


380  MEMOIRS    OF 

I  am  interested  will  study  along  with  your  amiable 
daughter ;  she  will  increase  their  knowledge  by  com- 
municating her  own,  and  will  receive  in  return  les- 
sons in  music  and  accomplishments  not  otherwise 
accessible  in  the  chateau  of  her  deceased  father. 
Thus,  many  advantages  concur  to  decide  you  to  come 
and  live  with  me ;  and  I  venture  to  believe  that  your 
affection  will  reckon  among  these  inducements  the 
certainty  of  thus  contributing  to  render  my  retreat 
more  pleasing.  Hitherto,  I  have  been  surrounded 
by  all  imaginable  proofs  of  regard.  I  have  received 
visits  from  the  whole  of  Napoleon's  court.  It  is 
known  that  he  desires  I  should  be  treated  always  as 
empress ;  and  besides,  people  wish  to  see  with  their 
own  eyes  how  I  support  my  new  situation.  When 
they  shall  have  been  able  to  say  several  times  before 
Napoleon  that  they  have  been  at  Malmaison,  and 
shall  have  fully  examined  my  countenance,  and  criti- 
cised my  manners,  they  will  cease  to  come  eight 
leagues  to  visit  a  person  who  can  no  longer  do  any 
thing  for  them,  and  I  shall  be  left  alone  with  my  true 
friends,  of  whom  I  will  that  you  augment  the  num- 
ber. These  words  /  will  have  escaped  me ;  it  is  the 
consequence  of  a  habit  which  I  shall  correct ;  but 
one  of  my  habits  I  shall  never  resign, — that  of  lov- 
ing you  faithfully.  Come,  and  believe  in  the  attach- 
ment of  "  JOSEPHINE." 

Among  a  circle  thus  selected,  Josephine  would 
hardly  fail  of  securing  as  large  a  share  of  happiness 
as  her  circumstances  permitted  to  expect.  She  in 
turn  exhausted  every  means  of  pleasing,  in  order  to 
render  their  voluntary  retreat  agreeable  to  her 
friends ;  a  retreat,  however,  recompensed  by  salaries 
equal  to  those  at  the  imperial  court,  and  which  fur- 
ther conciliated  Napoleon's  approval.  The  young 
ladies  mentioned  by  the  empress,  orphans,  in  several 
instances,  of  ancient  houses,  whose  parents  she  had 
known,  received  not  only  a  most  accomplished  edu- 
cation, but  a  dowry  also  from  their  excellent  patron- 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  381 

ess,  wno  watched  over  their  establishment  in  life 
with  parental  solicitude.  To  the  ladies  of  the  court 
generally  she  was  in  the  constant  habit  of  giving 
presents,  studying,  at  the  same  time,  to  do  this  in 
such  a  way  as  might  take  away  all  unpleasant  sense 
of  obligation.  On  her  own  birthday,  for  example, 
and  the  new  year,  a  lottery  of  jewelry  was  estab- 
lished at  Navarre  or  Malmaison;  as  the  empress 
distributed  the  tickets,  she  contrived  to  influence  the 
course  of  fortune,  and  it  was  not  till  after  the  draw- 
ing had  ceased  that  the  ladies  were  surprised  to  find 
they  had  all  obtained  prizes.  When  any  of  her  ladies 
were  sick,  Josephine  was  ever  by  the  bed  of  the  pa- 
tient ;  and  to  cheer  the  hours  of  confinement,  instead 
of  the  usual  sitting-room,  the  morning  parties  for 
reading  or  work  were  transferred  to  the  apartments 
of  the  convalescent  so  soon  as  the  physician  gave 
permission.  Similar  attentions  were  bestowed  on 
even  her  inferior  attendants,  whose  habitual  com- 
plaint on  falling  ill  was,  that  they  should  be  so  long 
before  seeing  their  mistress.  "  Do  not  let  that  dis- 
tress you,"  she  would  say ;  "  I  will  come  often  to 
see  you."  Thus  she  actually  passed  a  portion  of 
every  day  for  two  months  in  the  room  of  Madame 
d'Avrillon,  her  femme-de-chambre,  whose  thigh  had 
been  fractured  by  a  fall,  during  some  amusements 
upon  the  ice  on  one  of  the  lakes  at  Navarre.  But  it 
would  be  vain,  within  our  present  limits,  to  attempt 
a  description  of  Josephine's  active  benevolence  in 
favour  of  the  unfortunate,  or  her  feeling  considera- 
tion for  all  who  approached  her  person : 

Comme  nos  cceurs,  joignons  nos  voix 
Chantons  1'auguste  Josephine ; 
Aux  fleurs  tju'i  naissent  sous  ses  lois 
Sa  main  ne  laisse  pas  U'dpme. 
Parfout  la  suit  de  ses  bienfaita 
Ou  1'esperance  ou  la  meuioire ; 
De  Josephine  pour  jamais 
Vive  le  nom!  vive  la  gloire ! 

From  their  separation,  the  correspondence  between 
Napoleon  and  Josephine  continued  undiminished  in 


382  MEMOIRS    OF 

respect  and  affection.     Notes  from  the  emperor 
arrived  weekly  at  Navarre  or  Malmaison,  and  he 
never  returned  from  any  journey  or  long  absence 
without  seeing  the  "  illustrious  solitary."   No  sooner 
had  he  alighted,  than  a  messenger,  usually  his  own 
confidential  attendant,  was  despatched  to  Malmaison. 
"  Tell  the  empress  I  am  well,  and  desire  to  hear  that 
she  is  happy."    The  reserve,  or  rather  jealousy,  of 
Maria  Louisa,  indeed,  would  have  prohibited,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  any  communication  with  his  son. 
Josephine,  however,  did  frequently  see  the  child, 
though  secretly ;  for  so  Napoleon  had  resolved,  both 
in  compliance  with  her  own  request,  and  because  he 
himself  seemed  thence  to  derive  a  pleasure.     These 
meetings  took  place  at  Bagatelle,  a  royal  pavilion 
near  Paris,  Napoleon  and  Madame  de  Montesquieu, 
governess  to  the  young  prince,  being  the  sole  confi- 
dants.   At  first,  these  interviews  were  frequent,  and 
always  most  affecting  on  Josephine's  part ;  but  after- 
ward, as  the  boy  grew  up,  and  the  danger  of  dis- 
covery consequently  augmented,  they  became  more 
rare,  and  were  finally  discontinued  altogether.     The 
following  are  extracts  from  a  letter  written  by  Jose-, 
phine  to  Napoleon  after  the  last  of  these  meetings  :— 
i    "  Assuredly,  sire,  it  was  not  mere  curiosity  which 
led  me  to  desire  to  meet  the  King  of  Rome ;  I  wished 
to  examine  his  countenance — to  hear  the  sound  of 
his  voice,  so  like  your  own — to  behold  you  caress  % 
son  on  whom  centre  so  many  hopes — and  to  repay 
him  the  tenderness  which  you  lavished  on  my  own 
Eugene.     When  you  recall  how  dearly  you  loved 
mine,  you  will  not  be  surprised  at  my  affection  for 
the  son  of  another,  since  he  is  yours  likewise,  nor 
deem  either  false  or  exaggerated  sentiments  which 
you  have  so  fully  experienced  in  your  own  heart. 
The  moment  I  saw  you  enter,  leading  the  young 
Napoleon  in  your  hand,  was,  unquestionably,  one  of 
fthe  happiest  of  my  life.     It  effaced  for  a  time  the 
recollection  of  all  that  had  preceded ;  for  never  have 
'I  received  from  you  a  more  touching  mark  of  affec 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  383 

tion.  It  is  more  \  it  is  one  of  esteem — of  sincere 
attachment.  Still,  I  am  perfectly  sensible,  sire,  that 
those  meetings  which  afford  me  so  much  pleasure 
cannot  be  frequently  renewed ;  and  I  must  not  so  far 
intrude  on  your  compliance  as  to  put  it  often  under 
contribution.  Let  this  sacrifice  to  your  domestic 
tranquillity  be  one  proof  more  of  my  desire  to  see 
you  happy." 

In  every  thing  Napoleon  continued  to  act  with  the 
same  confiding  tenderness  as  in  the  case  of  his  son. 
All  the  private  griefs  in  which  Josephine  had  shared, 
and  the  sorrows  to  which  she  had  ministered,  were 
still  disclosed  to  her  as  before  their  separation.  Wit- 
ness the  following  letter : — 

4  SIRE,— The  indisposition  which  has  given  you 
some  uneasiness  on  my  account  has  left  no  bad 
effects,  and  I  am  almost  tempted  to  bless  the  dis- 
pensation, as  the  cause  of  my  receiving  a  billet, 
which  proves  you  continue  always  to  cherish  the 
same  interest  in  my  well-being.  This  certainty  of 
your  attachment  will  contribute  to  re-establish  a 
health  which  is  already  better.  What  you  say  re- 
specting your  family  disputes  afflicts  me  so  much  the 
more  that  I  cannot,  as  formerly,  endeavour  to  recon- 
cile them.  1  have  laid  down  as  a  law  never  to 
meddle  with  what  concerns  your  sisters ;  and  I  be- 
lieve, were  I  to  fail  in  this  self-imposed  rule  of  con- 
duct, my  representations  would  be  ill  received.  I 
have  never  been  loved  by  these  personages,  who  in- 
terest me  deeply,  since  your  happiness  depends  in 
part  upon  their  conduct. "  Envy  and  jealousy,  unfor- 
tunately, were  the  sentiments  I  inspired ;  and  now 
that  I  am  deprived  of  a  power,  the  cause  of  their 
umbrage,  resentment  still  remains  at  having  been  so 
long  obliged  to  conceal  their  jealousy.  I  believe  you 
exaggerate  their  faults  towards  you, — a  necessary 
consequence  of  the  affection  you  bear  them.  They 
ove  you  sincerely,  but  not  with  £hat  exaltation  of 
sentiment  you  require  in  every  thing ;  and  they  feel 


384  MEMOIRS    OF 

not,  therefore,  the  chagrin  they  may  cause  you.   The 
Queen  of  Naples,  for  instance,  was  forced,  not  only 
to  receive  the  Princess  of  Wales,  while  travelling 
through  her  states,  hut  to  observe  all  the  honours 
due  to  that  title.     You  would  have  blamed  her  had 
she  acted  otherwise ;  for  her  royal  highness  was  un- 
fortunate,— a  claim  more  urgent  than  even  illustrious 
birth.     Why,  then,  impute  it  as  a  crime  to  have  re- 
ceived an  afflicted  woman,  accused,  perhaps,  through 
injustice  and  calumny  ]     Separated  from  a  husband 
and  from  a  child  who  loved  her,  had  she  not  whereof 
to  complain  ]  and  why,  then,  deny  her  the  sad  con  • 
solation  of  an  honourable  hospitality  ]     Be  assured, 
therefore,  that  in  all  this  there  was  nothing  of  politi- 
cal contrivance, — no  intention  to  brave  you.*    Your 
sister  o-f  Naples  may  be  ambitious,  but  she  overflows 
with  tenderness  for  you,  and  is  too  proud  of  the  title 
of  your  sister  ever  to  do  any  thing  which  might 
render  her  unworthy  thereof.     As  to  the  Princess 
Pauline,  she  is  a  pretty  child,  whom  all  of  us  have 
taken  pleasure  in  spoiling;  we  need  not,  then,  be 
surprised  or  offended  at  her  absurdities.     W'ith  her, 
indulgence  always  succeeds  better  than  a  severity, 
which  we  are  forced  to  lay  aside  whenever  we  look 
upon  her  ravishing  beauty.     Do  not  chide  her,  then ; 
recall  her  gently,  and  she  will  reform.     Joseph  is 
obliged  to  manage  the  Spaniards, — a  circumstance 
which  fully  explains  the  kind  of  opposition  in  which 
you  are  often  placed.    Time  will  bring  back  union  be- 
tween you,  by  consolidating  a  power  opposed  by  many 
obstacles  in  this  its  commencement.     When  you  are 
better  satisfied  with  your  family,  dp  not  fail  to  inform 
me ;  none,  sire,  can  more  rejoice  in  the  good  under- 
standing that  ought  to  prevail  there.    Adieu.    Calm 
your  head, — allow  your  heart  to  act ;  there  I  hold  a 
place  which  I  desire  to  maintain,  and  will  eternally 
merit  by  an  affection  without  limits." 

*  This  passage  refers  to  the  late  Queen  Caroline,  who  played  a  thou- 
sand absurdities  at  the  court  of  Joachim  Murat. 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  885 

Tlie  personal  intercourse  between  Napoleon  and 
Josephine,  though  not  unfrequent,  was  conducted 
with  the  most  decorous  attention  to  appearances. 
Their  last  interview  but  one  took  place  before  he  left 
Paris  for  the  Russian  campaign.  This  enterprise 
the  ex-empress  had  contemplated  with  well-grounded 
alarm,  and  repeatedly  solicited  a  meeting.  The  em- 
peror at  length  arrived  at  Malmaison ;  he  was  in  a 
caleche,  which  drew  up  at  the  park-gate,  and,  with 
becoming  delicacy,  his  repudiated  wife  received  his 
visit  in  the  garden.  Seating  themselves  on  a  circu- 
lar bench,  within  sight  of  the  windows  of  the  saloon, 
but  beyond  hearing,  they  continued  in  animated  con- 
versation for  above  two  hours.  The  courtiers,  con- 
cealed behind  the  window-drapery,  endeavoured  to 
divine,  from  the  changing  expression  of  the  speakers, 
the  subject  of  their  discourse.  Josephine  spoke  at 
first  anxiously,  and  almost  in  alarm ;  the  emperor 
replied  with  eager  confidence,  and  seemed  by  de- 
grees to  reassure  her,  for  it  was  evident  that  she  felt 
satisfied  with  his  arguments.  In  all  probability  the 
conversation  turned  upon  the  intended  expedition 
against  Russia.  At  length  Napoleon  rose,  kissed 
the  empress's  hand,  and  walked  with  her  to  his  car- 
riage. During  the  rest  of  the  day,  Josephine  appear- 
ed perfectly  satisfied,  and  more  than  once  repeated 
to  her  ladies  that  she  had  never  seen  the  emperor  in 
better  spirits,  adding,  "  How  I  regret  my  inability  to 
do  any  thing  for  that  fortunate  of  the  earth  /"  Such 
was  her  expression  ;  a  few  months  sufficed  to  make 
the  misfortunes  of  Napoleon  a  by-word  among  the 
nations. 

The  campaign  of  Moscow  began,  that  of  Saxony 
completed,  the  disasters  of  the  empire,  and  the  allies 
entered  France.  One  hurried  and  distressful  inter- 
view, on  the  return  of  the  fugitive,  was  the  last  of 
personal  intercourse;  but  even  in  the  midst  of  the 
tremendous  struggle  that  followed,  Napoleon  found 
leisure  to  think  of  Josephine ;  or,  rather,  the  thoughts 
Kk 


386  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  her  whose  idea  had  mingled  with  the  dreams  < 
youthful  glory,  had  imparted  sweeter  interest  to  first 
success,  and  who  had  been  abandoned  in  the  height 
of  prosperity,  regained  intenser  power  in  the  time 
of  reverse.  His  letters  to  Josephine  were  frequent 
and  more  affectionate  than  ever ;  while  hers,  written 
by  every  opportunity,  were  perused,  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, with  a  promptitude  which  showed 
clearly  the  pleasure  or  the  consolation  that  was 
expected ;  in  fact,  it  had  always  been  observed,  that 
letters  from  Navarre  and  Malmaison  were  torn 
rather  than  broken  open,  and  read,  whatever  else 
might  be  retarded.  But  as  misfortunes  thickened 
around,  correspondence  became  impossible ;  and  in 
March,  1814,  the  empress,  then  residing  at  Malmai- 
son, had  already  been  many  days  without  word  from 
the  army,  the  last  letter  which  she  had  received 
being  dated  from  Brienne,  after  the  battle  which  was 
fought  there  on  the  29th  of  January.  In  this  uncer- 
tainty, she  had  one  morning  taken  her  usual  station 
in  a  summer-house  overlooking  the  road  to  Paris,  to 
watch  for  intelligence,  when  she  perceived  "  a  sister 
of  charity"  passing  under  the  window.  Knowing 
that  these  pious  females  had  proved  of  great  service 
to  the  wounded  French,  the  empress  entered  into 
conversation,  and  learned  that  the  good  nun  was 
going  to  Paris  to  apply  for  a  portion  of  contraband 
English  cottons  which  had  been  ordered  to  be  dis- 
tributed to  the  hospitals.  "  We  have  many  wounded 
officers  with  us,"  said  she,  "  and  have  no  sheets." — 
"  Sister,"  replied  the  empress,  "  you  do  not  know 
the  minister;  return,  and  leave  the  affair  to  me." 
The  religious  willingly  acquiesced,  for  her  presence 
was  needed  at  the  hospital ;  but  had  not  proceeded 
far  when  she  returned.  "  Pardon  the  curiosity  which 
brings  me  back;  I  wrould  know  who  it  is  that  so 
kindly  interposes  in  our  behalf.  I  may  guess,  but — " 
— "  Yes,"  answered  the  empress,  with  a  sweet  yet 
melancholy  senile,  "  I  am  poor  Josephine ;  say  no- 
hing  to  any  one  " — "  No.  certainly,"  returned  the 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  387 

nun.  "  Excuse  me  once  more ;  our  lint  and  band- 
ages are  almost  exhausted;  would  your  majesty 
deign — " — "  Say  no  more  ;  we  will  make  some  for 
you  here."  Henceforth  the  elegant  employments 
of  the  morning  were  laid  aside,  arid  the  fair  hands 
at  Malmaison  daily  occupied  in  forming  bandages 
and  scraping  lint.  But  it  was  impossible  to  remain 
almost  in  the  midst  of  conflicting  armies ;  the  flight 
of  the  imperial  family  to  Blois  alarmed  her  exceed- 
ingly ;  and  on  the  29th  of  March,  at  eight  in  the  morn- 
ing, she  departed,  nearly  in  despair,  for  Navarre. 
Already  the  formidable  cry  "  Cossacks !"  had  sounded 
repeatedly  in  her  ears,  when,  after  travelling  about 
thirty  miles,  the  pole  of  her  carriage  broke,  and  at 
the  same  moment  a  troop  of  horsemen  appeared  at 
a  distance.  Josephine,  in  her  distraction,  taking 
these,  which  were  French  hussars,  for  Cossacks  or 
Prussians,  began  to  fly  across  the  fields,  in  the  midst 
of  heavy  rain,  and  had  thus  proceeded  a  considerable 
distance  before  her  attendants  discovered  the  mis- 
take. The  carriage  being  speedily  repaired,  the 
journey  terminated  without  further  accident.  The 
empress  had  scarcely  spoken  on  the  road,  but,  on 
entering  the  palace,  recollection  seemed  to  over- 
power her ;  she  sunk  on  a  seat,  exclaiming,  "  Surely, 
surely,  Bonaparte  is  ignorant  of  what  is  passing 
within  sight  of  the  gates  of  Paris ;  or,  if  he  knows, 
how  cruel  the  thoughts  that  must  now  agitate  his 
breast !  Oh,  if  he  had  listened  to  me  !" 

During  this  short  stay  at  Navarre,  the  empress 
wrote  a  great  deal,  taking  no  relaxation  beyond  a 
ride  in  the  park,  always  alone  in  the  morning, 
and  another  after  dinner  with  some  one  of  her  ladies. 
Any  conversation  in  which  she  indulged  ran  con- 
stantly upon  the  state  of  France  and  Napoleon,  of 
whom  at  this  time  she  seemed  to  take  a  melancholy 
delight  in  relating  anecdotes ;  but  every  such  con- 
versation, like  a  reminiscence  of  concentrated  grief, 
concluded  with  the  remark,  "  Ah !  had  he  listened  to 
me !"  Her  only  pleasure  during  this  period  of  pain- 


388  MEMOIRS    OF 


ful  uncertainty  was,  to  shut  herself  up  alone,  and 
read  the  letters  lately  received  from  the  emperor, 
which  she  had»carefully  packed  up  and  brought  from 
Malmaison.  The  last  of  these,  dated,  as  we  have 
said,  from  Brienne,  she  always  kept  in  her  bosom. 
This  cherished  document,  after  giving  an  account  of 
the  engagement,  concluded  with  the  following  words: 
— "  On  beholding  those  scenes  where  I  had  passed 
my  boyhood,  and  comparing  my  peaceful  condition 
then  with  the  agitation  and  terrors  which  I  now  ex- 
perience, 1  several  times  said  in  my  own  mind,  '  I 
have  sought  *o  meet  death  in  many  conflicts — I  can 
no  longer  fear  it ;  to  me,  death  would  now  be  a  bless- 
ing— but  I  would  once  more  see  Josephine.'  " 

All  uncertainty  at  length  vanished  on  receipt  of 
the  following  letter ;  and  Josephine  perceived  how 
vain  had  been  her  hopes  of  Napoleon  retrieving  his 
fortunes : — 


To  the  Empress  Josephine,  at  Malmaison. 


"  FontainUeau,  April  16,  1814. 
"  DEAR  JOSEPHINE, — I  wrote  to  you  on  the  8th  of 
this  month  (it  was  a  Friday),  and  perhaps  you  have 
not  received  my  letter.  Hostilities  still  continued ; 
possibly  it  may  have  been  intercepted ;  at  present, 
the  communications  must  be  re-established.  I  have 
formed  my  resolution ;  I  have  no  doubt  this  billet 
will  reach  you.  I  will  not  repeat  what  I  said  to 
you :  then  I  lamented  my  situation ;  now  I  con- 
gratulate myself  thereon.  My  head  and  spirit  are 
freed  from  an  enormous  weight.  My  fall  is  great, 
but  at  least  it  is  useful,  as  men  say.  In  my  retreat 
1  shall  substitute  the  pen  for  the  sword.  The  history 
of  my  reign  will  be  curious  ;  the  world  has  yet  seen 
me  only  in  profile, — I  shall  show  myself  in  full. 
How  many  things  have  I  to  disclose !  how  many  are 
the  men  of  whom  a  false  estimate  is  entertained ! 
I  have  heaped  benefits  upon  millions  of  wretches! 
What  have  they  done  in  the  end  for  me  ?  They  have 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  389 

all  betrayed  me — yes,  all.  I  except  from  this  num- 
ber the  good  Eugene,  so  worthy  of  you  and  of  me. 
Adieu,  my  dear  Josephine ;  be  resigned,  as  I  am,  and 
ever  remember  him  who  never  forgot  andnevei  will 
forget  you.  Farewell,  Josephine. 

"  NAPOLEON." 

44  P.S.  I  expect  to  hear  from  you  at  Elba:  I  am 
not  very  well." 

The  perusal  of  this  letter  overwhelmed  Josephine 
with  grief  and  consternation,  but  recovering  from 
her  stupor,  she  exclaimed,  with  impassioned  energy, 
"  I  must  not  remain  here — my  presence  is  necessary 
to  the  emperor.  That  duty  is  indeed  more  Maria 
Louisa's  than  mine ;  but  the  emperor  is  alone — for- 
saken. Well,  I  at  least  will  not  abandon  him.  I 
might  be  dispensed  with  while  he  was  happy — now, 
I  am  sure  he  expects  me."  Tears  came  to  her 
relief,  and,  after  a  pause,  she  added,  with  more  com- 
posure, addressing  M.  de  Beaumont,  her  chamber- 
lain, "  I.  may,  however,  interfere  with  his  arrange- 
ments. You  will  remain  here  with  me  till  intelli- 
gence be  received  from  the  allied  sovereigns — they 
will  respect  her  who  was  the  wife  of  Napoleon." 
These  expectations  were  not  deceived;  the  Empe- 
ror Alexander  sent  assurances  of  his  friendly  inten- 
tions, and  the  other  allies  united  in  a  request  that 
she  would  return  to  Malmaison.  Though  moved  by 
these  attentions,  she  hesitated  for  some  time,  from 
respect  to  her  husband,  and  yielded  only  when  she 
found  that  high  family  interests  might  suffer  by  her 
refusal.  Meanwhile,  ever  anxious  about  him  who 
had  so  long  occupied  every  thought,  she  addressed 
the  following  note  to  Alexander : — 

"SIRE, — My  heart  responds  to  the  duty  of  ex- 
pressing my  perfect  gratitude  to  your  majesty.    I 
never  can  forget,  that,  having  scarcely  arrived  in 
Paris  (for  I  will  not  say  entered),  you  deigned  to 
Kktt 


390  MEMOIRS    OF 

think  of  me.  Amid  the  misfortunes  which,  affect 
my  country,  this  regard  would  prove  almost  a  con- 
solation to  me,  could  it  be  extended  to  a  person 
whom  it  was  formerly  permitted  me  to  name  with 
pride.  You,  too,  sire,  then  united  the  same  name 
with  expressions  of  august  friendship.  To  recall  to 
you  a  sentiment  once  participated  is  to  remind  you 
of  all  that  such  a  remembrance  demands.  In  a  soul 
like  yours  the  recollection  will  never  be  effaced." 

In  one  day  after  her  re-establishment  at  Malmai- 
son,  Josephine  found  herself  restored  to  all  the 
importance  of  her  rank:  a  guard  of  honour  was 
appointed  for  her  protection,  her  property  had  been 
respected,  and  her  little  court,  elegant  as  ever,  she 
now  saw  frequented  by  some  of  the  most  marked 
personages  of  Europe.  The  Emperor  of  Ru-ssia 
presented  himself  an  early  visiter  at  Malmaison; 
Josephine  received  the  emperor  in  the  gallery,  and, 
with  her  wonted  grace,  expressed  how  much  she 
felt  on  the  occasion.  "  Madam,"  replied  Alexander, 
"  I  burned  with  the  desire  of  beholding  you  ;  since 
I  entered  France,  I  have  never  heard  your  name 
pronounced  but  with  benedictions.  In  the" cottage 
and  in  the  palace  I  have  collected  accounts  of  your 
angelic  goodness  ;  and  I  do  myself  a  pleasure  in  thus 
presenting  to  your  majesty  the  universal  homage  of 
which  I  am  the  bearer."  Those  illustrious  person- 
ages then  withdrew  from  their  attendants,  and  con- 
versed anxiously  and  earnestly  alone.  Afterward 
they  passed  into  the  garden,  where  they  were  joined 
by  Hortense,  who  had  arrived  from  Paris,  and  the 
emperor,  giving  a  note  to  each  lady,  the  conversa- 
tion, in  which  there  can  be  no  doubt  the  subject  of 
Napoleon  was  frequently  introduced,  seemed  to 
become  more  and  more  interesting.  The  King  of 
Prussia  also  visited  at  Malmaison,  and  even  the 
Bourbons  showed  attention;  and  the  empress  was 
to  have  been  presented  to  Louis.  Her  children,  also, 
Had  been  graciously  received ;  Hortense's  honoui 


THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE.  391 

as  queen  were  confirmed,  and  Eugene's  rank  as 
marshal  of  France  offered,  but  declined.  Nothing, 
however,  could  render  Josephine  insensible  to  the 
fall  of  her  husband.  The  following  letter  expresses 
sentiments  equally  respectful  and  tender : — 

To  the  Emperor  Napoleon,  at  Elba. 

"  SIRE, — Now  only  can  I  calculate  the  whole  ex- 
tent of  the  misfortune  of  having  beheld  my  union 
with  you(dissolved  bylaw;  now  do  I  indeed  lament 
being* no  more  than  your  friend,  who  can  but  mourn 
over  a  misfortune  great  as  it  is  unexpected.  It  is 
not  the  loss  of  a  throne  that  I  regret  on  your  ac- 
count ;  I  know  from  myself  how  such  a  loss  may 
be  endured;  but  my  heart  sinks  at  the  grief  you 
must  have  experienced  on  separating  from  the  old 
companions  of  your  glory.  You  must  have  regretted, 
not  only  your  officers,  but  the  soldiers,  whose 
countenances  even,  names,  and  brilliant  deeds  in 
arms  you  could  recall,  and  all  of  whom  you  could 
not  recompense;  for  they  were  too  numerous.  To 
leave  heroes  like  them,  deprived  of  their  chief,  who 
so  often  shared  in  their  toils,  must  have  struck  your 
soul  with  unutterable  grief;  in  that  sorrow  espe- 
cially do  I  participate. 

"  You  will  also  have  to  mourn  over  the  ingrati- 
tude and  falling  away  of  friends,  on  whom  you 
deemed  you  could  confide.  Ah !  sire,  why  cannot 
I  fly  to  you !  why  cannot  I  give  you  the  assurance 
that  exile  has  no  terrors  save  for  vulgar  minds,  and 
that,  far  from  diminishing  a  sincere  attachment, 
misfortune  imparts  to  it  new  force !  I  have  been 
on  the  point  of  quitting  France  to  follow  your  foot- 
steps, and  to  consecrate  to  you  the  remainder  of  an 
existence  which  you  so  long  embellished.  A  single 
motive  restrained  me,  and  that  you  may  divine.  If 
I  learn  that,  contrary  to  all  appearance,  I  am  the 
only  one  who  will  fulfil  her  duty,  nothing  shall  detain 
me,  and  I  will  go  to  the  only  place  where  hence- 
forth there  can  be  happiness  for  me,  since  I  shall 


392  MEMOIRS   OF 

be  able  to  console  you  when  you  are  there  isolated 
and  unfortunate  !  Say  but  the  word,  and  I  depart. 
Adieu,  sire;  whatever  I  would  add  would  still  be 
too  little ;  it  is  no  longer  by  words  that  my  senti- 
ments for  you  are  to  be  proved,  and  for  actions 
your  consent  is  necessary.  JOSEPHINE." 

"  Malmaison  has  been  respected ;  I  am  there  sur- 
rounded with  attentions  by  the  foreign  sovereigns, 
but  had  much  rather  not  remain." 

The  unhappy  Josephine  had  now  been  so  long 
exposed  to  agitating  changes,  that,  though  imme- 
diately after  the  divorce  she  had  improved  in  personal 
appearance,  her  health  had  become  extremely  pre- 
carious. New  anxieties,  in  addition  to  the  distress- 
ing events  which  had  just  occurred,  began  to  alarm 
her.  It  was*now  the  commencement  of  May,  and 
the  appointments  fixed  by  the  treaty  of  Fontainbleau 
had  not  been  paid ;  the  distress  occasioned  by  this 
very  unwarrantable  neglect  of  an  obligation  which 
ought  to  have  been  especially  held  sacred  by  the 
French  government,  will  be  readily  conceived  by  the 
reader  acquainted  with  Josephine's  tastes  and  be- 
nevolent dispositions.  Sometimes  she  would  allow 
an  expression  of  censure  to  escape  against  Napo- 
leon, but  would  instantly  retract,  "  No,  no  !  he  is 
unhappy, — he  must  be  in  want  himself, — I  will  sell 
my  jewels,  and  send  him  money  !"  About  the  same 
time  she  resolved  to  make  her  will, — a  subject  on 
/  which  she  had  previously  wished  to  consult  Napo- 
leon,— and  now  the  faithful  creature  sent  a  draft  to 
Elba, — "  Make  your  remarks,  sire ;  you  cannot  doubt 
they  will  be  held  sacred  by  me,  or  that  I  rejoice  in 
this  opportunity  of  showing  my  devotion  at  a  time 
when  others  fall  away  from  their  obedience."  This 
instrument  was  never  completed,  which  afterward 
proved  a  source  of  great  misfortune  to  Josephine's 
most  loved  retainers,  none  of  whom  were  rewarded 
as  she  intended,  or  as  their  fidelity  merited. 

All  these  grievances    preyed  upon  Josephine's 


THE   EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  393 

spirits,  but  without  producing  any  appearance  of  dis- 
ease till  the  4th  of  May,  when  she  dined  at  St.  Leu 
with  Hortense,  Eugene,  and  the  Emperor  of  Russia. 
On  returning  to  Malmaison,  she  felt  a  general  unea- 
siness, which,  however,  yielded  to  some  gentle  medi- 
cine, and  the  empress  resumed  her  ordinary  occu- 
pations, though  evidently  without  the  usual  enjoy- 
ment. Some  clays  after,  Lord  Beverley,  with  his  two 
sons,  breakfasted  at  Malmaison ;  and  to'  this  noble- 
man Josephine  expressed  herself  warmly  on  the 
generosity  of  the  English,  who  at  that  time,  she  said, 
alone  spoke  of  Napoleon  in  a  becoming  manner. 
She  complained  bitterly  of  the  ingratitude  of  those 
who,  not  satisfied  with  abandoning  his  falling  for- 
tunes, overwhelmed  his  memory  with  calumny.  On 
the  10th,  Alexander,,  with  several  distinguished  for- 
eigners, dined  at  Malmaison.  Josephine,  despite  a 
headache  and  cold  shiverings,  which  she  laboured  to 
conceal,  did  the  honours  of  the  table,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning attempted  even  to  take  part  in  a  game  of  "prison- 
ers," on  the  beautiful  lawn  in  front  of  her  residence. 
How  many  painful  associations  must  have  connected 
themselves  with  this  amusement !  Both  mind  and 
body  unfitted  her  for  such  exercise,  and  she  was  con- 
strained to  become  a  spectator,  but  with  such  an  al- 
tered appearance  as  to  excite  the  alarm  of  her  guests. 
To  their  anxious  inquiries,  however,  she  continued 
to  reply  with  a  faint  smile,  which  belied  the  assur- 
ance, "that  she  was  only  fatigued,  and  would  be  well 
to-morrow."  To-morrow  came,  but  Josephine  was 
evidently  worse ;  and  for  fourteen  days,  her  com- 
plaint, without  assuming  any  definite  form,  or  ren- 
dering absolute  confinement  necessary,  was  fre- 
quently attended  at  night  with  fainting,  and  some- 
times a  wandering  of  the  mind,  more  from  anxiety 
than  delirium.  On  the  24th,  the  empress  had  a  slight 
attack  of  sore  throat,  but  otherwise  rallied  so  much 
as  to  insist  on  receiving  the  Emperor  of  Russia  and 
the  King  of  Prussia,  who  were  engaged  to  dine  with 
her  on  that  day.  She  did  accordingly  appear,  bu 


394  MEMOIRS    OF 

was  forced  to  retire,  and  Hortense,  who  never  lef 
Malmaison  during  her  mother's  illness,  took  herpla 
at  table.    Thenceforward  the  disease  assumed  a  mos 
alarming-  character  of  gangrenous  quinsy,  and  it 
progress  became  fearfully  rapid.     On  the  morning 
of  the  25th,  Alexander  returned,  and,  filled  with  anx 
iety  at  the  alteration  in  Josephine's  appearance,  re 
quested  permission  to  send  his  own  physician.     Thi 
the  empress  declined;  but  from  that  day  she  was 
attended  by  her  own  and  the  two  physicians  attachec 
to  the  households  of  her  son  and  daughter.     On  the 
night  of  the  26-27th,  a  blister  was  applied  between 
the  shoulders,  and  sinapisms  to  the  feet ;  but  though 
these  gave  some  relief  from  pain,  they  effected  no 
impression  on  the  disease.    Still  Josephine,  with  the 
same  angelic  sweetness  which  had  marked  her  whole 
life,  endeavoured,  by  concealing  her  suffering,  to 
sooth  the  anxiety  of  her  surrounding  friends.    From 
the  morning  of  the  26th,  she  appears  to  have  been 
perfectly  sensible  of  her  danger ;  for,  looking  then 
steadily  upon  the  physician,  and  perceiving  his  alarm 
she  silently  pressed  his  hand  in  token  of  conscious 
ness  and  acquiescence.    She  even  took  an  interes 
in  her  former  occupations ;  and  on  the  27th,  when 
informed  that  the  celebrated  flower-painter  Redoubte 
had  come  to  draw  two  favourite  plants  in  flower,  she 
sent  for  him,  extended  her  hand,  then  pushed  him 
gently  away,  saying,  "  You  must  not  catch  my  sore 
throat,  for  next  week"  (this  was  on  Wednesday)  "'. 
hope  to  see  you  advanced  with  a  fresh  masterpiece/ 
The  preceding  night  had  passed  in  a  lethargic  sleep 
and  at  ten  in  the  morning  of  the  28th,  the  physicians 
after  consulting,  deemed  it  proper  to  prepare  Eugene 
and  Hortense  for  the  final  change.     From  those  two 
cherished  beings,  whom  she  had  loved  so  truly,  Jo- 
sephine heard  a  communication  which  thus  lost  all  its 
bitterness.     With  pious  resignation,  she  received  the 
last  rites  of  the  Romish  faith  from  the  ministration 
ptor,  for  the  parish  cler- 
j  absent.    Late  on  I 


of  her  grandchildren's  precepto 
gyman  of  Ruel  haj)Denpd  to  be  ; 


THE    EMPRESS    JOSEPHINE.  395 

same  day  the  Emperor  Alexander  arrived,  and  was 
shown  into  the  chamber  of  the  sufferer,  now  evi- 
dently approaching  the  goal  of  all  her  sorrows.  By 
the  bed  of  their  mother  knelt  Eugene  andHortense, 
too  deeply  moved  to  address  the  emperor ;  but  at 
sight  of  a  monarch  whom  she  regarded  with  grati- 
tude, Josephine  seemed  to  acquire  renewed  strength, 
made  a  sign  for  all  to  approach,  and  said,  "At  least 
I  shall  die  regretted ;  I  have  always  desired  the  hap- 
piness of  France ;  I  did  all  in  my  power  to  contribute 
to  it ;  and  I  can  say  with  truth  to  all  of  you  now 
present  at  my  last  moments,  that  the  first  wife  of 
Napoleon  never  caused  a  single  tear  to  flow."  These 
were  her  last  words ;  for  she  fell  immediately  after 
into  a  slumber,  which  continued,  interrupted  by  a 
scarcely-audible  sigh,  till  half-past  eleven  on  the 
morning  of  the  29th  of  May,  when  her  gentle  spirit 
calmly  passed  to  a  world  of  love  and  peace. 

At  midday,  on  the  2d  of  June,  1814,  the  funeral 
moved  forward  from  Malmaison,  and  at  five  in  the 
evening  the  body  of  the  Empress  of  France  was  con- 
signed to  an  humble  tomb  in  the  village  church  of 
Ruel.  To  obtain  even  this  privilege  of  being  laid  in 
the  interior  of  the  consecrated  place  required  no 
small  exertion  on  the  part  of  her  son.  Those  who 
then  rightfully  occupied  a  throne  which  she  had  filled 
in  meekness,  and  not  willingly,  ought  to  have  offered 
no  opposition  to  any  respect  that  could  be  paid  to 
one  whose  dying  words  we  have  just  quoted;  whose 
remains,  while  they  lay  in  state,  were  visited  by 
twenty  thousand  of  the  people  of  France ;  and  whose 
funeral  procession  was  voluntarily  closed  by  two 
thousand  poor,  who  had  tasted  of  her  bounty,  or 
cherished  her  memory.  The  body  had  been  first 
embalmed,  and  finally  deposited  in  a  double  coffin  of 
lead  and  sycamore ;  but  a  spirit  of  jealousy  or  of 
mean  adulation  prevented  the  engraving  of  any  in- 
scription on  the  plate  of  gilt  silver  which  occupied 
the  centre  panel  of  the  latter.  The  funeral  was 
otherwise  conducted  with  proper  magnificence  > 


396        MEMOIRS  OF  THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE. 

commissioners  from  the  sovereigns  of  Russia  an 
Prussia  headed  the  procession,  which  was  compose 
of  many  foreign  princes,  marshals,  generals,  and 
officers  of  the  French  and  allied  armies.  The  mili- 
tary, formed  in  two  lines  from  Malmaison  to  Rue], 
consisted  of  Russian  hussars  and  the  national  guards 
of  France.  The  chief  mourners  were  Prince  Eu- 
gene, the  Grand  Duke  of  Baden,  Marquis  de  Beau- 
harnais  (brother-in-law),  Count  de  Tascher  (nephew), 
Count  de  Beauharnais  (cousin),  and  the  grandchil- 
dren of  the  deceased  empress.  The  funeral  oration 
was  pronounced  by  the  Archbishop  of  Tours,  while 
the  Bishops  of  Evreux'and  Versailles  read  prayers. 
Queen  Hortense,  who  had  previously  been  conveyed 
thither,  continued  at  her  devotions  in  one  of  the 
chapels  during  the  whole  of  the  ceremony ;  but  when 
all  but  her  brother  had  left  the  church,  they  knelt 
long  together  beside  the  grave.  The  spot  is  now 
marked  by  a  monument  of  white  marble,  represent- 
ing the  empress  in  imperial  robes,  kneeling,  and  bear 
the  simple,  yet  touching  inscription, — 

EUGENE    AND   HORTENSE    TO   JOSEPHINE. 

With  the  facts  of  the  volume  before  the  reader,  a 
detailed  summary  of  character  would  be  here  super 
fluous.  Few  women  ever  passed  through  such  extra 
ordinary  changes  of  fortune,  and  none  has  displayec 
more  patient  endurance  under  trials  and  reverses,  o 
more  affecting  self-distrust  and  singleness  of  hear 
when  surrounded  by  greatness.  To  those  who  in 
the  preceding  pages  have  contemplated  Josephine  in 
private  life,  the  recollection  will  often  arise  of  that 
one  being  whose  mild  virtues  and  gentle  kindness 
are  the  subject  of  their  deepest  regret  or  sweetest 
gratitude. 

THE   END,, 


